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Schism in the Democratic Party: NYC mayoral candidates spar over Israel’s right to exist as Jewish state in 1st debate | ||||
2025-06-05 | ||||
[IsraelTimes] Far-left Zohran Mamdani, polling second, refrains from acknowledging a Jewish Israel, drawing fire from frontrunner Andrew Cuomo New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani,
Mamdani is polling in second place ahead of this month’s Democratic party primary,
Mamdani, a state assemblymember from Queens, is a longtime pro-Paleostinian activist and is harshly critical of Israel. His views on Israel’s right to exist have come under scrutiny in recent weeks and he has repeatedly avoided acknowledging Israel’s Jewish character. He has previously identified as an anti-Zionist. During Wednesday’s debate, their first, the nine primary candidates were asked where their first visit abroad would be if they were elected. Three of the candidates said Israel — frontrunner Andrew SonnyCuomo ![]() New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said she would choose "the holy land." City Comptroller Brad Lander, also Jewish, said he would visit Canada due to the Trump administration’s antagonism toward Canada. Mamdani said he would "stay in New York City." The interviewers took the opportunity to press Mamdani on whether he would consider a visit to Israel at all. "I believe you need not travel to Israel to stand up for Jewish New Yorkers," he said. "Yes or no, do you believe in a Jewish state of Israel?" he was asked. "I believe Israel has the right to exist, as a state with equal rights," he said. "Not as a Jewish state," Cuomo interjected. "And his answer was no, he won’t visit Israel." Mamdani has voiced a variation of the same line several times before when pressed over Israel’s Jewish character, and has not yet acknowledged Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. After he affirmed last month, while under pressure, Israel’s right to exist without mentioning Israel’s Jewish character, he came under fire from anti-Israel activists. Mamdani is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, a far-left group that has made anti-Israel activism one of its party planks. Jewish issues made scant appearance in the two-hour debate hosted by the news outlets NBC4 New York, Telemundo 47, and Politico.
"There’s been antisemitism in this city. I believe it’s a growing problem and I believe the rhetoric about Israel has actually inflamed the antisemitism. Put that aside, I think this is just another overreach of the Trump administration," Cuomo said. "This is a frightening time for Jews and I feel it really personally after the flamethrowing in Boulder, Colorado, and the two murders in Washington, DC," Lander said. "But let’s be clear — Donald Trump ...Oh, noze! Not him!... , he platforms white nationalists and antisemites all the time. This has nothing to do with keeping anyone safe." The candidates also opposed the Trump administration’s arrest of Columbia student activist Mahmoud Khalil. "This is a continuation of Trump eroding democracy, chipping away at due process. He should be released," Cuomo said. Cuomo and Tilson, who has Jewish family, wore yellow ribbons on their lapels, a symbol in support of the hostages in Gazoo ...Hellhole adjunct to Israel and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, inhabited by Gazooks. The place was acquired in the wake of the 1967 War and then presented to Paleostinian control in 2006 by Ariel Sharon, who had entered his dotage. It is currently ruled with a rusty iron fist by Hamas with about the living conditions you'd expect. It periodically attacks the Hated Zionist Entity whenever Iran needs a ruckus created or the hard boyz get bored, getting thumped by the IDF in return. The ruling turbans then wave the bloody shirt and holler loudly about oppressionand disproportionate response... Mayoral candidates, including frontrunner Cuomo, have been battling for Jewish votes ahead of the June 24 primary. Jews make up about 16% of the primary electorate. Related: Zohran Mamdani 05/25/2025 New York City Faces the Threat of an Antisemitic Mayor Zohran Mamdani 05/23/2025 DHS ends Harvard's student visa program over 'pro-terrorist conduct' Zohran Mamdani 05/21/2025 Terror supporters disrupted Columbia’s graduation, booing and shouting over the university president’s speech | ||||
Posted by:trailing wife |
#3
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Posted by: badanov 2025-06-05 19:40 |
#2 ^^ I'd almost make jokes about that endorsement Frank, but the dunces in AOC's district (and other nearby districts) apparently are oblivious to reality. |
Posted by: Mullah Richard 2025-06-05 08:59 |
#1 AOC endorses fellow Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani for NYC mayor |
Posted by: Frank G 2025-06-05 08:49 |