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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jewish leaders condemn Queens pol John Liu for endorsing anti-Israel Zohran Mamdani for NYC mayor
Jewish leaders and activists have signed an open letter condemning Queens state Sen. John Liu for endorsing staunch Israel foe Zohran Mamdani for mayor, The Post has learned. The letter, signed by more than 60 mostly Jewish residents in the borough, called Liu's endorsement a betrayal. It is set to appear as an ad in local Queens Jewish publications, said the letter's organizer, Michael Nussbaum, a board member of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York and former head of the Queens Jewish Community Council. 'Mamdani has made it clear that he is a virulently anti-semite in words and deeds… As a leader in our county, and a representative of a large Jewish population, we consider your endorsement a slap in our face,' states the missive, which shows the Israeli flag with the Star of David in the top right corner. 'Given the history of hateful acts against our community, this support will not go unnoticed,' it says. Liu's 16th District in northeast Queens has a significant Jewish population and his endorsement was a coup for Mamdani. Mamdani supports the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel and has opposed its right to exist as a Jewish state. Liu, a former city comptroller and councilman, is an Asian-American trailblazer who is widely respected. Nussbaum told The Post he has known the state senator for decades and respects him as a gifted politician and good public servant — and that's why he was shocked that Liu was backing the most anti-Jewish and Israeli candidate in the race. 'Why would he attach his name to someone who is an enemy of Israel and the Jewish people?' Nussbaum asked. During his June 2 endorsement of Mamdani, Liu noted that he had a 'big disagreement' with the Democratic socialist assemblyman on the 'the issue of Israel and how the Jewish community needs to be viewed in this social climate.' Nussbaum said he didn't 'buy Liu's explanation' for backing Mamdani. The wellbeing of the Jewish people is the defining issue in this race given the rise in antisemitism, he said. Other signatories of the letter include former CUNY trustee Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, Yaniv Meirov, CEO at Chazaq Organization; cantor Alan Brava of the Free Synagogue of Flushing, Zev Berman, executive vice president of the Queens Jewish Community, retired judges Jeremy Weinstein and Jeff Leibowitz, and David Aronov of the UJA Federation of New York. In closing, the letter quotes scripture: 'Even my close friend whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.' Liu, in a statement on Tuesday, defended his endorsement of Mamdani but also said he would continue to stand with the Jewish community. 'This public rebuke – and the many private protestations – come from respected individuals and organizations with whom I've worked for many years, and I accept them and the consequences they will bear,' Liu said. 'Notwithstanding the deep disapproval of my endorsement, I will continue to stand with and up for the Jewish community.'
New York Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Jewish leaders condemn John Liu for endorsing Zohran Mamdani for mayor
Jewish leaders and activists have signed an open letter condemning Queens state Sen. John Liu for endorsing staunch Israel foe Zohran Mamdani for mayor, The Post has learned. The letter, signed by more than 60 mostly Jewish residents in the borough, called Liu's endorsement a betrayal. It is set to appear as an ad in local Queens Jewish publications, said the letter's organizer, Michael Nussbaum, a board member of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York and former head of the Queens Jewish Community Council. Advertisement 3 New York City Jewish leaders condemned state Sen. John Liu for endorsing Zohran Mamdani for mayor. Brigitte Stelzer 'Mamdani has made it clear that he is a virulently anti-semite in words and deeds… As a leader in our county, and a representative of a large Jewish population, we consider your endorsement a slap in our face,' states the missive, which shows the Israeli flag with the Star of David in the top right corner. 'Given the history of hateful acts against our community, this support will not go unnoticed,' it says. Advertisement Liu's 16th District in northeast Queens has a significant Jewish population and his endorsement was a coup for Mamdani. Mamdani supports the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel and has opposed its right to exist as a Jewish state. Liu, a former city comptroller and councilman, is an Asian-American trailblazer who is widely respected. 3 Liu endorsed Mamdani despite saying they have a 'big disagreement' on Israel. X / @ZohranKMamdani Advertisement Nussbaum told The Post he has known the state senator for decades and respects him as a gifted politician and good public servant — and that's why he was shocked that Liu was backing the most anti-Jewish and Israeli candidate in the race. 'Why would he attach his name to someone who is an enemy of Israel and the Jewish people?' Nussbaum asked. During his June 2 endorsement of Mamdani, Liu noted that he had a 'big disagreement' with the Democratic socialist assemblyman on the 'the issue of Israel and how the Jewish community needs to be viewed in this social climate.' Nussbaum said he didn't 'buy Liu's explanation' for backing Mamdani. Advertisement 3 The letter to Liu from Jewish leaders. The wellbeing of the Jewish people is the defining issue in this race given the rise in antisemitism, he said. Other signatories of the letter include former CUNY trustee Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, Yaniv Meirov, CEO at Chazaq Organization; cantor Alan Brava of the Free Synagogue of Flushing, Zev Berman, executive vice president of the Queens Jewish Community, retired judges Jeremy Weinstein and Jeff Leibowitz, and David Aronov of the UJA Federation of New York. In closing, the letter quotes scripture: 'Even my close friend whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.' Liu, in a statement on Tuesday, defended his endorsement of Mamdani but also said he would continue to stand with the Jewish community. 'This public rebuke – and the many private protestations – come from respected individuals and organizations with whom I've worked for many years, and I accept them and the consequences they will bear,' Liu said. 'Notwithstanding the deep disapproval of my endorsement, I will continue to stand with and up for the Jewish community.'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Zohran Mamdani spews antisemitic tropes, falsely claims taxpayers foot the bill for NY pols' Israel trips: Jewish activists
Democratic socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is being accused of spewing antisemitic tropes — after he falsely claimed taxpayers were footing the bill for New York lawmakers' trips to Israel. Jewish advocates railed that the Queens state Assembly member was insinuating Jewish pols were swindling New Yorkers to benefit Israel at their expense. 'The danger that Mamdani poses to Jewish freedom in New York City is palpable,' fumed Queens Councilman Rory Lancman, a senior counsel at the non-profit Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law. Mamdani, 33, made the bogus claim in recently resurfaced video from a May 11, 2021, pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel protest, where he also led chants of 'BDS' — supporting the economic boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against the Jewish state. 'We have elected officials paid for trips to Israel,' he said in the clip posted on his Facebook page, which came back to light Sunday — hours before the Salute to Israel Day parade in Manhattan. 'They are going there paid for by your tax dollars,' Mamdani said. 'They show up at the Israel Day parade and they say, 'We stand in solidarity,'' he went 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.' But the trips taken by state legislators and city council members are sponsored and paid for by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York via philanthropic dollars, said JCRC CEO Mark Treyger, the grandson of Holocaust survivors. He called Mamdani's inaccurate claim 'insulting and deeply offensive,' and slammed the lefty pol's run for mayor as 'one of the most divisive citywide campaigns in modern New York history.' 'Many Jewish New Yorkers are still outraged that Mamdani spent hours sipping espresso with hate influencer Hasan Piker, who has referred to Jews as bloodthirsty pig dogs,' Treyger said, referring to an interview Mamdani did with the controversial left-wing Twitch streamer. Lancman, of the non-profit human rights group Brandeis Center, alleged that Mamdani was peddling antisemitism under the guise of his pro-Palestinian advocacy. 'Mamdani's hatred of the Jewish state and Jewish self-determination is deep-rooted antisemitism, allowing his advocacy to seamlessly blend anti-Israelism with antisemitic tropes — whether it's that Israel is the reason America isn't spending enough on affordable housing, or that Jews are stealing taxpayer money to fund trips to Israel,' Lancman told The Post. Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic frontrunner for mayor, was asked on Bari Weiss' podcast Tuesday whether he thought Mamdani was antisemitic. He stopped short of saying that. 'I'm being kind. Antisemite. You have to look into somebody's soul and look at their motivation. But the position he has taken vis-à-vis Israel is radically hostile,' Cuomo said. Mamdani is running second behind Cuomo, 67, in recent Democratic mayoral primary polls, and even leading among voters under 45. The Mamdani campaign declined to directly respond to the accusation that he was peddling an antisemitic trope by saying lawmakers were soaking up taxpayer dollars to visit Israel. 'Zohran is committed to combating antisemitism—including through the largest fiscal commitment to hate crime prevention of any candidate—and making this city safe and affordable for every New Yorker,' said Mamdani campaign spokesman Andrew Epstein. Last week, Mamdani drew flak 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.' He said he voted for the Holocaust resolution. Mamdani also has received the endorsement of anti-Israel ex-'Squad' Rep. Jamaal Bowman. 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. 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
20-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Zhoran Mamdani spews antisemitic tropes, falsely claims taxpayers foot the bill for NY pols' Israel trips
Democratic socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is being accused of spewing antisemitic tropes — after he falsely claimed taxpayers were footing the bill for New York lawmakers' trips to Israel. Jewish advocates railed that the Queens state Assembly member was insinuating Jewish pols were swindling New Yorkers to benefit Israel at their expense. 'The danger that Mamdani poses to Jewish freedom in New York City is palpable,' fumed Queens Councilman Rory Lancman, a senior counsel at the non-profit Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law. 5 Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has been accused of spreading an antisemitic trope after falsely claiming that taxpayers are paying for New York politicians to take trips to Israel. LP Media Mamdani, 33, made the bogus claim in recently resurfaced video from a May 11, 2021 pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel protest, where he also led chants of 'BDS' – supporting the economic boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against the Jewish state. 'We have elected officials paid for trips to Israel,' he said in the clip posted on his Facebook page, which came back to light Sunday — hours before the Salute to Israel Day parade in Manhattan. 'They are going there paid for by your tax dollars,' Mamdani said. 'They show up at the Israel Day parade and they say, 'We stand in solidarity,'' he went 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.' 5 Mamdani made the claim at a 2021 anti-Israel protest. Facebook/Zohran Mamdani 5 Mamdani urged the crowd to support the 'Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions' movement against Israel. Facebook/Zohran Mamdani But the trips taken by state legislators and city council members are sponsored and paid for by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York via philanthropic dollars, said JCRC CEO Mark Treyger, the grandson of Holocaust survivors. He called Mamdani's inaccurate claim 'insulting and deeply offensive,' and slammed the lefty pol's run for mayor as 'one the most divisive citywide campaigns in modern New York history.' 'Many Jewish New Yorkers are still outraged that Mamdani spent hours sipping espresso with hate influencer Hasan Piker, who has referred to Jews as bloodthirsty pig dogs,' Treyger said, referring to an interview Mamdani did with the controversial left-wing Twitch streamer. 5 The New York lawmakers' trips to Israel are sponsored and paid for by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, according to the organization's CEO Mark Treyger. Stefan Jeremiah Lancman, of the non-profit human rights group Brandeis Center, alleged that Mamdani was peddling antisemitism under the guise of his pro-Palestinian advocacy. 'Mamdani's hatred of the Jewish state and Jewish self-determination is deep-rooted antisemitism, allowing his advocacy to seamlessly blend anti-Israelism with antisemitic tropes — whether it's that Israel is the reason America isn't spending enough on affordable housing, or that Jews are stealing taxpayer money to fund trips to Israel,' Lancman told The Post. 5 Queens Councilman Rory Lancman accused Mamdani of posing a threat to Jewish freedom in New York City. Erik Thomas/NY Post Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic frontrunner for mayor, was asked on Bari Weiss' podcast Tuesday whether he thought Mamdani was antisemitic. He stopped short of saying that. 'I'm being kind. Antisemite. You have to look into somebody's soul and look at their motivation. But the position he has taken vis a vis Israel is radically hostile,' Cuomo said. Mamdani is running second behind Cuomo, 67, in recent Democratic mayoral primary polls, and even leading among voters under 45. The Mamdani campaign declined to directly respond to the accusation that he was peddling an antisemitic trope by saying lawmakers were soaking up taxpayer dollars to visit Israel. 'Zohran is committed to combating antisemitism—including through the largest fiscal commitment to hate crime prevention of any candidate—and making this city safe and affordable for every New Yorker,' said Mamdani campaign spokesman Andrew Epstein. 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.' He said he voted for the Holocaust resolution. Mamdani also has received the endorsement of anti-Israel ex-'Squad' Rep. Jamaal Bowman. 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. 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.
