In my experience, folks like that are not uncommon in New York City. They seem deeply unsatisfied with where they’ve ended up in life and how they see things going. They are scared, scarred, and mad to the point of madness. This is not meant to be exculpatory, just descriptive. You will, sadly, likely have many more opportunities to decide how to respond to them. They can be dangerous, both to one’s serenity and your physical safety. Above all else, an on-the-spot risk assessment is essential. I’m 52, white, Jewish, a citizen, financially stable by way of my wife and my family, and highly-educated. On one hand, I have more to lose than almost any antagonist. On the other, with the exception of serious bodily harm, I have a good chance of navigating the consequences of most conflicts with a minimum of damage. I suspect you are not in this privileged position of relative safety for a number of reasons, so your calculus is necessarily different. You are also likely targeted differently based on appearance and perceived vulnerability. So, it would be reasonable for you to say “in an abundance of caution and because I value my life and my contributions so highly, I will always ‘let the doors close,’ knowing it is ‘not my monkey, not my circus’ and any harm I suffer at the hands of one of these bitter shouting menaces is too much.” However, when you feel “safe enough”(you are in a group, you feel calm rather than compelled, the yeller seems eminently vanquishable, you may find yourself meeting fire with fire. I don’t want any of these shnooks to feel they can yell in people’s faces without consequence. Their harangues almost occur in this way— as they are leaving the subway car, as we are passing on the stairs, rushing past me in a crowd. When I turn and close the distance between us, usually with some version of “what did you just say?,” the surprise on their face alone is worth it. Their axis of rage is almost always Zionism, as I encounter them, but they often also hate trans folks, immigrants (who are more recently arrived than they are), Black people, and anyone struggling financially. They must be taught that the days of insulting any of us and getting away with it are long gone.
Sorry to go on so long. You were sharing your experience and I popped in with mine. Good luck. If I ever see you on the train, I got you.
Dear Mohammed what a terrible experience! Some of us have been reading your work from since Refaat’s martyrdom and your departure from Gaza. Thank you for not flattening Palestinians into a symbol, whether a good one or bad one! Thank you for being a full human being! With achievement
Nobody should have to experience such extreme abusive behaviour simply for speaking their truth. I would suggest, despite how unpleasant the experience, this tells you that your writing is powerful and you are doing a good job.
For every monster who doesn't accept reality there are good people who want to hear what you say
I am so sorry… when I lived in NY - I went out of my way to be kind. There’s enough anger to power the city. No one deserves that treatment. If he feels so betrayed he can read another publication or writer. Why not write a letter asking questions to understand the depth about the stories you write… cussing someone out for doing their job and you disagree with something they did… is just not the way.
I’m sorry no one even came up to tell the guy to fuck off. It can be a blessing and a curse how people mind their business on the subway. But if no one is pretending not to watch then there should have been someone trying to deescalate or cut the guy off by standing in front of him. Something to say this is a we place not just me. It doesn’t always have to be that way.
A curse: People letting Jordan Neely be murdered.
A blessing: people can be anonymous and go about their day.
Whoa… crazy as crazy is in NYC and as even more crazy by a thousand percent when it comes to a Zionist projecting onto Palestinians. Bravo for bringing us your story, so intimate, I feel like one of the those subway passengers agog as I navigate another day in this mad world.
Hi Mohammed, that no one stood up next to you to help mitigate the impact of the emotional assault is deeply upsetting. Did anyone even approach you and ask if you were OK when the doors closed? We cannot stop someone’s verbally abusive rant, but we can use known tactics to make it less traumatic at the very least.
May we all remember the 5 D’s of Bystander Intervention: Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, Direct. May we show up for each other more often in these moments of public harassment and discrimination in 2026.
Please know there are many more people on your side than there are like that sad, weak man. So sorry you had such a disgusting encounter. Your writing is so powerful it scares oppressors into losing control. How embarrassing to be him and all the people who sat and watched. You are not the idiot here, he is. Be safe.
Anyone raging that way in public is just displaying his lack of class. What a small small man who feels the need to yell profanities and accusations to feel the power he so desperately needs.
Fuck man that's awful, what a horrible and undeserved experience
Sorry to hear about your crappy experience. What an awful thing to have happened. Take care.
Stay strong sir! Continue speaking your truth. If I met you on the subway I would offer you my respect.
In my experience, folks like that are not uncommon in New York City. They seem deeply unsatisfied with where they’ve ended up in life and how they see things going. They are scared, scarred, and mad to the point of madness. This is not meant to be exculpatory, just descriptive. You will, sadly, likely have many more opportunities to decide how to respond to them. They can be dangerous, both to one’s serenity and your physical safety. Above all else, an on-the-spot risk assessment is essential. I’m 52, white, Jewish, a citizen, financially stable by way of my wife and my family, and highly-educated. On one hand, I have more to lose than almost any antagonist. On the other, with the exception of serious bodily harm, I have a good chance of navigating the consequences of most conflicts with a minimum of damage. I suspect you are not in this privileged position of relative safety for a number of reasons, so your calculus is necessarily different. You are also likely targeted differently based on appearance and perceived vulnerability. So, it would be reasonable for you to say “in an abundance of caution and because I value my life and my contributions so highly, I will always ‘let the doors close,’ knowing it is ‘not my monkey, not my circus’ and any harm I suffer at the hands of one of these bitter shouting menaces is too much.” However, when you feel “safe enough”(you are in a group, you feel calm rather than compelled, the yeller seems eminently vanquishable, you may find yourself meeting fire with fire. I don’t want any of these shnooks to feel they can yell in people’s faces without consequence. Their harangues almost occur in this way— as they are leaving the subway car, as we are passing on the stairs, rushing past me in a crowd. When I turn and close the distance between us, usually with some version of “what did you just say?,” the surprise on their face alone is worth it. Their axis of rage is almost always Zionism, as I encounter them, but they often also hate trans folks, immigrants (who are more recently arrived than they are), Black people, and anyone struggling financially. They must be taught that the days of insulting any of us and getting away with it are long gone.
Sorry to go on so long. You were sharing your experience and I popped in with mine. Good luck. If I ever see you on the train, I got you.
I'm sorry. You do not deserve this. Keep writing. Keep being exactly who you are. It's needed now more than ever. 🙏
Dear Mohammed what a terrible experience! Some of us have been reading your work from since Refaat’s martyrdom and your departure from Gaza. Thank you for not flattening Palestinians into a symbol, whether a good one or bad one! Thank you for being a full human being! With achievement
comes some haters along with fans. 😢
Nobody should have to experience such extreme abusive behaviour simply for speaking their truth. I would suggest, despite how unpleasant the experience, this tells you that your writing is powerful and you are doing a good job.
For every monster who doesn't accept reality there are good people who want to hear what you say
I am so sorry… when I lived in NY - I went out of my way to be kind. There’s enough anger to power the city. No one deserves that treatment. If he feels so betrayed he can read another publication or writer. Why not write a letter asking questions to understand the depth about the stories you write… cussing someone out for doing their job and you disagree with something they did… is just not the way.
I’m sorry no one even came up to tell the guy to fuck off. It can be a blessing and a curse how people mind their business on the subway. But if no one is pretending not to watch then there should have been someone trying to deescalate or cut the guy off by standing in front of him. Something to say this is a we place not just me. It doesn’t always have to be that way.
A curse: People letting Jordan Neely be murdered.
A blessing: people can be anonymous and go about their day.
Whoa… crazy as crazy is in NYC and as even more crazy by a thousand percent when it comes to a Zionist projecting onto Palestinians. Bravo for bringing us your story, so intimate, I feel like one of the those subway passengers agog as I navigate another day in this mad world.
Hi Mohammed, that no one stood up next to you to help mitigate the impact of the emotional assault is deeply upsetting. Did anyone even approach you and ask if you were OK when the doors closed? We cannot stop someone’s verbally abusive rant, but we can use known tactics to make it less traumatic at the very least.
May we all remember the 5 D’s of Bystander Intervention: Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, Direct. May we show up for each other more often in these moments of public harassment and discrimination in 2026.
Please know there are many more people on your side than there are like that sad, weak man. So sorry you had such a disgusting encounter. Your writing is so powerful it scares oppressors into losing control. How embarrassing to be him and all the people who sat and watched. You are not the idiot here, he is. Be safe.
America is a dismal place for a Palestinian. Total ignorance coupled with decades of being called a terrorist in films and on TV.
Keep writing. Awareness and support is slowing coming, especially with younger people.
Anyone raging that way in public is just displaying his lack of class. What a small small man who feels the need to yell profanities and accusations to feel the power he so desperately needs.
They are evil to the core. They know their time is nigh.
Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui