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New York Post
19-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
NYC Socialists blast ‘machine Dems' backing Cuomo as they push Zohran Mamdani to older, minority voters
The far-left wing of the city's Democratic Party is plotting against mayoral front-runner Andrew Cuomo by helping socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani win over a larger share of minority voters, The Post has learned. Leaders of the Democratic Socialists of America still believe they see a path to victory for Mamdani in the June 24 primary by targeting 'older, non-white, outer borough working class voters,' they told members at a recent gathering of the local DSA chapter, according to sources with knowledge of the meeting. The sources said the group also plans to focus on older liberals who are scared of President Trump. Advertisement 4 The Democratic Socialists of America are targeting older minority voters to help Zohran Mamdani win the Democratic mayoral primary. Tomas E. Gaston Mamdani, 33, is running second to Cuomo, 67, in recent polling. The DSA leaders attacked the 'nastiest parts of the Democratic Party' during the meeting, singling out AIPAC (American Israel Affairs Public Affairs Committee), Solidarity PAC and billionaires, according to sources. Advertisement They also rapped the establishment 'shameless machine Dems' — who pushed the more moderate Cuomo to resign as governor in 2021 over sexual misconduct accusations he denies — but now back him because they think his win is 'inevitable' and 'their donors fear Zohran.' The strategy is already playing out. Days after the DSA meeting, the state Assemblyman from Astoria stood by former 'Squad' Rep. Jamaal Bowman in Co-op City, where he accepted the controversial ex-lawmaker's endorsement hoping to court his former constituents in the minority-heavy section of the Bronx. 4 Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo seen marching in the Israel Day parade on May 18, 2025. AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura Advertisement Bronx state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, a progressive, is also one of the Latino politicians backing Mamdani. On Monday, Mamdani posted a video on social media urging supporters to donate to City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams' mayoral campaign. The last minute pitch could help Adams, no relation to Mayor Eric Adams, qualify for public matching funds. Adrienne Adams, who is black, has moved up in the polls despite meager resources. Fourteen percent of black voters back her candidacy in the latest Marist poll — second to the 50% backing Cuomo received — despite only entering the race in March. Mamdani hasn't surpassed the teens in most polls. Advertisement 4 Mamdani urged supporters to donate to City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams in a bid to defeat Cuomo. Paul Martinka His campaign also announced Monday that it has knocked on more than 500,000 doors across the five boroughs and boasts more than 20,000 volunteers committed to knocking on more than 1 million homes by Election Day. But the Cuomo camp scoffed at the DSA strategy. 'That's the problem, to them its 'which cynical strategy do we need to fool people into embracing our brand of silver spoon socialism?'' said Cuomo campaign spokesman Rich Azzopardi. 'To us it's a multi decade relationship where Andrew Cuomo worked hard, delivered, and improved their lives.' 4 DSA leaders blasted 'shameless machine Dems' who are backing Cuomo. Photo byDemocratic campaign strategist Basil Smikle said it will be a tall order to pull black and Latino voters — especially older voters — away from Cuomo. The ex-governor has been meeting with black and Latino leaders and visiting churches over the last two years, wooing support while embarking on his rehabilitation tour. Advertisement 'There are a lot of older voters who saw his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic,' Smikle, a former executive director of the state Democratic Party, added. 'He was America's governor the way Rudy Giuliani was America's mayor during 9/11.' Rep. Ritchie Torres, a Cuomo backer, said: The Bronx is Cuomo country. 'Andrew Cuomo is going to be the next Mayor of New York City. He's going to win the Bronx by an overwhelming margin,' Torres, a Democrat, predicted. 'It won't even be close.'
New York Post
18-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Former Hamas hostages recall horrific torture in Gaza as they call for remaining captives' freedom at NYC Israel Day parade
A pair of freed Israeli hostages recalled the torture they and others endured in Gaza as they joined the thousands marching at New York City's Israel Day parade on Sunday. Keith and Aviva Siegel joined chants from the attendees on Fifth Avenue demanding the remaining 58 hostages in Gaza be freed during the annual parade. US-Israel dual citizen Keith Siegel, 66 — who was held captive for 484 days before being freed in February — said there can be no time to waste in freeing the hostages, given the horrors he endured and witnessed inside Hamas' tunnel network. 9 Freed Israeli-American Keith Siegel called for the remaining 58 hostages in Gaza to be freed during the annual Israel Day parade on Fifth Avenue. James Keivom 9 The parade drew thousands of supporters to the Big Apple, including Gov. Kathy Hochul. James Keivom 'I experienced abuse of many different kinds,' Siegel said, alluding to his days spent shuffling around in dark tunnels and being deprived of food. 'I witnessed the abuse and the literal torture of other hostages that I saw, including women. I witnessed sexual abuse,' he added. 'I witnessed violence and humiliation and starvation and dehydration, being held in terrible conditions, not being able to clean my body for weeks at a time.' Despite the horrors in Gaza and the kidnappings on Oct. 7, which also saw 64 of his neighbors slain, Siegel considers himself 'a very lucky man' for surviving and being able to advocate for his fellow captives. 9 Keith and Aviva Siegel look out at the crowd cheering them on as they recount the horrors of captivity under Hamas. AP 9 The attendees called on the hostages, less than half of whom are believed to be alive, to be released. James Keivom 'We have lives that we can save, we must save them,' he told the crowd on Fifth Avenue. 'I feel terrible that I was released and they were left behind. I am doing anything that I can possibly do to bring them back home.' Aviva, who was freed in November 2023, described 'being in captivity underground and touching death' as 'one of the worst things that anyone can go through.' 'They have to all come home, all the 58 hostages in Gaza. They deserve a better life…We need to, as humans, push and scream for them, because they can't,' she added. 9 Wounded IDF Capt. Liam Shpliman was among the attendees at the event. James Keivom 9 Yiftach Golov, another IDF soldier, said he was thrilled to see such an outpouring of support for Israel. James Keivom The Siegels' plea was echoed by the thousands attending the parade who waved Israeli flags as they chanted 'Bring them home' and 'Hamas gotta go.' Along with the former hostages, wounded Israel Defense Forces soldiers Yiftach Golov, 41, and Liam Shpilman, 27, joined the parade. Golov, who suffered injuries to his back and left shoulder after a bomb blast in the West Bank in 2023, said he was moved to see such a large crowd in New York in support of the Jewish state. 9 The attendees waved Israeli flags as they marched on Fifth Avenue. James Keivom 'Right now, Israel is undergoing a huge rebuilding of national resilience. The story of Israel is about its people, that's what basically is the source of the strength for its people,' he said. Shpilman, who volunteered to serve in the IDF once again following the Oct. 7 terrorist attack, said the war was necessary to protect Israel, no matter the cost. Shpliman was deployed along the northern border in the fight against Hezbollah, with a suicide drone ripping off his right leg and crushing his spine. 9 The annual parade is aimed at showing solidarity for the Jewish state, celebrating Jewish culture, and fighting antisemitism. James Keivom 'Israel has the right to defend herself,' he said about the current conflict. 'I can say to you that our enemies will always find a reason to attack us. In the past, the Jewish blood was cheaper. Not anymore.' New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and New York Mayor Eric Adams also partook in the parade. New York City mayoral candidates Andrew Cuomo, the disgraced ex-governor, and Scott Stringer, a former comptroller, were also at the event. 9 Participants chanted 'Bring them home' and 'Hamas gotta go.' REUTERS Debra Lea, 25, of the Upper East Side, said it was important for as many people as possible to come out to the parade, which marks the second march since the start of the war in Gaza. 'I march every single year. I think it's so important. If we can't be loud and proud in a city like New York, how can we expect that from Jews anywhere else in the world? We are setting an example,' she told The Post. Alan Stern, 90, of Long Island, agreed that it was important to show widespread support for the Jewish community during such trying times. 'I think it's important to be counted,' he said.
New York Post
18-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani leads ‘BDS' chants, bashes officials for traveling to Israel in resurfaced clip
Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani was caught on resurfaced video leading 'BDS' chants in a push to boycott Israel while blasting officials for traveling to the Jewish State on taxpayers' dime. The demcratic socialist candidate led the chants in favor of the 'boycott, divestment and sanctions' movement during a May 11, 2021 pro-Palestinian rally across from the Israeli Consulate in Manhattan. 'We have elected officials paid for trips to Israel,' he said in the clip, which resurfaced Sunday — hours before the Salute to Israel Day parade in Manhattan. 'They are going there paid for by your tax dollars. Advertisement 6 NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani led 'BDS' chants, bashes officials for traveling to Israel in resurfaced clip from May 11, 2021. Zohran Kwame Mamdani/Facebook 'They show up at the Israel Day parade and they say, `We stand in solidarity,'' Mamdani goes on. 'We want to let them know that there are three letters that we have as an answer to what is happening in Palestine. It's BDS.' He then leads chants of 'BDS, BDS!' with the protesters, the clip shows. Advertisement Mamdani, a state Assemblyman who represents Queens, has been polling second behind ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the crowded Democratic Party primary for mayor. 6 'We have elected officials paid for trips to Israel,' he said in the clip, which resurfaced hours before the Salute to Israel Day parade. Zohran Kwame Mamdani/Facebook During his remarks in the resurfaced clip, he also urges pro-Palestinian protesters in the video to 'put pressure' on their local council members and state representatives to advocate for a 'safe and free' Palestine. The lawmaker had referenced his appearance at the rally in a May 12, 2021 Facebook post, which was reposted Sunday by political consultant Jason Curtis Anderson. Advertisement The Anti-Defamation League and other Jewish advocacy groups label the BDS movement as antisemitic, saying it seeks to delegitimize and destroy Israel.. 6 'We want to let them know that there are three letters that we have as an answer to what is happening in Palestine. It's BDS,' Mamdani said. Zohran Kwame Mamdani/Facebook 6 Mamdani led the 'Boycott, divestment and sanctions' chants. Zohran Kwame Mamdani/Facebook 6 Mamdani also urged protesters in the video to 'put pressure' on their local council members and state representatives to advocate for a 'safe and free' Palestine. Zohran Kwame Mamdani/Facebook Advertisement 'The BDS movement uses divisive and inaccurate terms like 'apartheid,' 'genocide,' 'settler colonialist' and 'supremacists' to refer to aspects of Israeli action or policy they criticize, language which serves to demonize the Jewish state and those who support its existence,' the ADL said. 'ADL believes that many of the founding goals of the BDS movement, which effectively reject or ignore the Jewish people's right of self-determination, or that, if implemented, would result in the eradication of the world's only Jewish state, are antisemitic.' Last week, Mamdani drew flack for refusing to sign onto a pair of resolutions recognizing Israel and the Holocaust. Critics ripped the mayoral hopeful as having 'no business representing the largest Jewish community outside of Israel.' 6 Mamdani recently received backlash for refusing to sign onto a pair of resolutions recognizing Israel and the Holocaust. REUTERS He also received the endorsement of anti-Israel ex-'Squad' Rep. Jamaal Bowman. Mamdani spokesman Andrew Epstein responded, 'Zohran has been consistent and principled in his calls for equal rights and freedom for every single person, including Palestinians, and has never strayed from his belief that peace and justice will only be achieved through nonviolence.' The assemblyman previously introduced the controversial 'Not On Our Dime Act' that would bar New York non-profits from bankrolling any groups involved with West Bank settlements. Advertisement His father, Mahmood Mamdani, went even further, and called for the end of the Jewish state. 'The Palestinian challenge is to persuade the Jewish population and the world … the longtime security of a Jewish homeland in historic Palestine requires the dismantling of the Jewish state,' Mahmood Mandani said during a 2014 speech at Columbia. 'Jews can have a homeland in historic Palestine, but not a state.' The ranked-choice primary is June 24. Early voting is scheduled to begin June 14 and will go for nine days prior to the election.
New York Post
18-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump must not leave Israel out of his Middle East deals
When the annual Israel Day parade marches up Fifth Avenue Sunday, count on the huge New York crowd to once again be joyful and boisterous. But underneath the celebration, there lurks a growing concern, one that is dominating many conversations in New York, across America and in Israel itself. What is President Trump up to? Advertisement Given some of his recent actions and comments, especially during his whirlwind trip to three Arab monarchies last week, it's an understandable question. The fear is that Trump is falling in love with a kumbaya fantasy about the region that could end up further isolating and endangering the embattled Jewish state. Here is how the Times of Israel described the mood in a Friday article: 'As US President Donald Trump jetted from one sprawling palace to another, embracing Arab leaders and heralding a new Middle East this week, many in Israel worried that the best partner they've ever had in the White House had lost interest.' Advertisement It went on to cite a columnist who wrote that 'there was a party in the Middle East — a grand ball full of colorful costumes, money and gold changing hands — and we found ourselves playing the role of Cinderella before the transformation.' Lack of communication Some of the reasons for the wall of worry involve the growing boldness of antisemites around the world, including in the US. Many European parties, like the Democrats in America, are home to pro-terror agitators, while Trump has been regarded as the most reliable friend. Lately, however, the president kept Israel in the dark about important moves, including his cease-fire deal with the Houthis that did not require the Yemeni terrorists to stop firing rockets and missiles at Israel. Advertisement Before that, Trump did not tell Israel he was starting talks with Iran until just days before the first meeting. And the fact that his Middle East trip did not include a stop in Israel underscored the view that his once-close relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has soured. Additionally, the US negotiated directly with Hamas for the release of the only living American hostage in Gaza, Edan Alexander. The terror group called his release a goodwill gesture to Trump. The move ignored 20 other hostages thought to be alive and was seen as undercutting Israel as it begins a large-scale military effort in Gaza to eliminate Hamas and launch a murky day-after occupation plan. Advertisement Still, there was some surprisingly good news for Israel in Trump's trip. During his meeting with the new leader of Syria, the first between the countries in 25 years, Trump encouraged interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa to recognize Israel and join the Abraham Accords. And by the time Trump arrived back in Washington, there were reports that Israel and Syria had indeed started talking about the possibility. In ordinary times, that would be a sensational development. After all, Syria never accepted Israel's right to exist and often welcomed terrorists to use it as a base from which to strike the Jewish state. But with Trump and his unorthodox ways, these are not ordinary times, and the talks represent a tangible outcome of his trip to the Arab kingdoms of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Spreading his gospel of peace and prosperity, the president conveyed an optimistic vision for the region and threw open the doors to any and all who would embrace that vision — and, of course, buy American products. That he secured as much as $2 trillion in deals makes the trip a resounding success in terms of the jobs that will be created in the US. Positive talks Advertisement It's also a fact that, in geopolitical terms, his trip reinvigorates America's presence in a region where China has been making inroads in its quest for global dominance. Equally significant is that the president is talking positively about a possible deal with Iran to end the mullahs' quest for nukes, which further illustrates his expansive view of what's possible. While even some Democrats acknowledged that Trump's energy and sheer force of personality on the world stage were good for America and global stability, Israelis are not wrong to worry that what's good for Trump and the US in the short run might not be good for them. Advertisement The sticking points are the usual ones: Hamas, the Houthis and above all, Iran, which represents an existential threat to Israel. The fear is that any deal with Iran covering its nuclear facilities will only be a temporary fix, like the flimsy pact Barack Obama crafted, and sooner or later, the mullahs will be back in the business of enriching uranium for use in a nuclear weapon aimed at Tel Aviv. Netanyahu preferred a joint military action to destroy the known facilities, but Trump, after seeming to agree, decided he wanted to give negotiations another chance. For Israel, no matter what promises Iran makes, anything less than complete destruction of the plants will restart its progress toward an inevitable nuke. Advertisement Moreover, if Trump removes American sanctions as part of a deal, as he has promised, Iran would have the money to continue funding Hamas, the Houthis and even perhaps a rejuvenated Hezbollah in Lebanon, making another Oct. 7 possible. Trump is clearly aware of Israel's concern, and in addition to the pitch to Syria, also publicly urged Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords. It would also help if he were to embrace a 'no surprise' rule with Israel. For example, it would have cost the president nothing to tip off Netanyahu about the outreach to Iran before it became public. And his Houthi deal should have included a ban on attacks on Israel. Avoid big wars Advertisement As it was, the sudden news of the America-only cease-fire and the invitation to Iran fueled fears that Trump had cut Israel out of the loop and made a beleaguered Netanyahu look weak at home. Yet Trump is not wrong to give a peaceful outcome with Iran a final chance. Although he showed no hesitation in droning Iran's terror general, Qasem Soleimani, during his first term, the president genuinely wants to avoid big wars, and has reshaped the GOP to reflect that sentiment. Long gone are the days of George W. Bush and the disastrous invasion of Iraq. As Trump made clear in his key speech in Saudi Arabia, he is not a fan of 'the so-called nation-builders, neocons or liberal nonprofits like those who spent trillions and trillions of dollars failing to develop Kabul, Baghdad and so many other cities.' Besides, we will know soon enough what his bottom line is on Iran. When he invited the Supreme Leader in the middle of March to begin negotiations, Trump put a time limit of two months on the talks. If Iran didn't agree to destroy its facilities by then, he vowed that America, with Israel's help, would do it for them. The deadline has arrived. It's decision time, Mr. President.
