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Overwhelmed by the NYC mayor’s race between Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo? Start here
Just now tuning in to the New York City mayoral election or feeling utterly overwhelmed by it? As early voting is underway, and Tuesday’s election nears, here’s a look at what each mayoral candidate could mean for Jews.
– Zohran Mamdani –
Democratic nominee
Start here: Mamdani, a 34-year-old self-described democratic socialist, won the Democratic mayoral primary in a major upset in June. Mamdani has served as a State Assemblyman representing Queens since 2021. If elected, he would be the city’s first Muslim mayor.
His pitch to voters: Mamdani has focused on affordability. His signature campaign promises include making buses “fast and free,” freezing the rent for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments, and creating city-owned grocery stores.
Plans to combat antisemitism: Mamdani has committed to increase funding for hate crime prevention by 800%. He also supports the “Hidden Voices” curriculum, which teaches students about Jewish Americans in U.S. history, as a way to combat antisemitism in schools. The curriculum defines Zionism as “The right to Jewish national self-determination in their ancestral homeland,” which seems to be at odds with Mamdani’s own position that Israel has a right to exist as a democratic state, but not a Jewish one.
Positions on Israel and Gaza: Mamdani got his start in political organizing as co-founder of a Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at Bowdoin College, which he graduated from in 2014. He has called the Palestinian cause “central to my identity.”
In 2020, Mamdani said he joined the Democratic Socialists of America because of their stance on Israel and said mayoral candidates should pledge to boycott Israel. He later downplayed those remarks, but has also called for a permanent end to New York City’s investments in Israel bonds.
Days after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Mamdani said, and has repeated, that Israel committed genocide in Gaza.
Mamdani has declined to recognize Israel specifically as a Jewish state and said he would refuse to visit the country as mayor. He has also pledged to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he comes to New York, honoring an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. The U.S. is not a party to the ICC, making it highly unlikely Mamdani would be able to carry out the arrest.
In June, Mamdani drew fire for his initial refusal to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada,” though he later said he would discourage its use.
Policies affecting Hasidic communities: Mamdani has said he would work to protect Hasidic yeshivas that face scrutiny for failing to meet state education standards.
Bagel order: “As someone who grew up in Morningside Heights, I have to go back to Absolute Bagels. Poppy seed bagel, scallion cream cheese. Some pulp Tropicana on the side. And this is going to lose me some votes, but to be honest with you: toasted.”
What else you need to know:
- Mamdani has clashed with the Anti-Defamation League, saying the ADL does not speak for New York Jews’ concerns.
- Mamdani has many Jewish advisors and was endorsed by Jewish city comptroller Brad Lander in the primary.
- Rabbis across the country have weighed in on Mamdani’s candidacy. A group of 650 rabbis and cantors signed a letter opposing Mamdani and the “political normalization” of anti-Zionism. A second rabbinic letter offered support for Mamdani, and there are others circulating as well.
- Ruth Messinger, the first Jewish woman to win a New York City mayoral primary, endorsed Mamdani.
- Mamdani has pledged to keep Jewish police commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is currently serving in Mayor Eric Adam’s administration.
– Andrew Cuomo –
Independent
Start here: Cuomo, the 67-year-old former governor of New York, is running as an independent in the general election after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani. Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 following allegations of sexual harassment. Cuomo denied the allegations, and all criminal charges related to the matter have been dropped or dismissed.
His pitch to voters: Cuomo has cast himself as a pragmatic moderate with the governing experience to get policy passed. He has also argued Mamdani poses a threat to New York’s Jewish community.
Plans to combat antisemitism: Cuomo has committed to adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Association (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which labels many forms of anti-Zionism as antisemitic. He also plans to “provide a strong response to antisemitic incidents in schools, including curriculum reforms.”
Positions on Israel and Gaza: Cuomo visited Israel three times as governor. In 2016, he signed an executive order barring government business with any company that boycotts Israel.
Cuomo has defended Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against the International Criminal Court’s claims of war crimes. Later, he distanced himself from Netanyahu, saying, “I never stood with Bibi” and calling for the “horrific” Gaza war to end.
In September, Cuomo told the Forward he wanted three things: “We want killing to stop, because it’s a matter of humanity. We want the hostages returned, and Hamas eliminated. If you don’t eliminate Hamas, you accomplish nothing. This will happen again and again.”
Policies affecting Hasidic communities: Cuomo apologized to New York’s Orthodox Jews for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as governor, when he imposed health restrictions that also limited religious gatherings.
“I recognize that some of those decisions caused pain in the Jewish community because we did not always fully consider the sensitivities and traditions that are so deeply important,” Cuomo said.
Bagel order: “Bacon, cheese and egg on an English muffin, and then I try to take off the bacon, but I don’t really take off the bacon. The bagel I try to stay away from, to keep my girlish figure.”
What else you need to know:
- Cuomo has been endorsed by several Orthodox Jewish leaders.
- Cuomo has referred to himself as a “Shabbos goy” and said Mamdani won’t be able to “stand up to Donald Trump, who’d knock him right on his tuches.”
- Cuomo has also pledged to keep Jewish police commissioner Jessica Tisch.
– Curtis Sliwa –
Republican nominee
Start here: Sliwa, 71, is a former radio talk show host and founder of the Guardian Angels, a nonprofit citizen patrol group that deploys volunteers across the city to deter crime. Sliwa is the Republican nominee after running unopposed in the primary. He is not a supporter of President Donald Trump and said he did not vote for him in 2016 or 2020.
His pitch to voters: Sliwa has a “law and order” platform and argues he is the best candidate on public safety. He has proposed hiring 7,000 new police officers.
Plans to combat antisemitism: Sliwa has said that “Jews must protect themselves,” telling the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, “If you depend strictly on Gentiles, history is replete with instances where you’re going to be horribly disappointed.“ He said groups like Shmira or Shomrim, Jewish civilian watch groups that operate mostly in neighborhoods with large Orthodox Jewish populations, should secure Jewish safety.
In July, Sliwa apologized for past remarks about the Jewish community, including a claim that Hasidic Jews are “making babies like there’s no tomorrow” to collect government benefits.
“I’ve said a lot of things I shouldn’t have,” Sliwa told the Forward. “What I’ve learned in life is the art of apology. You have to understand the hurt that you cause people, and you have to apologize and mean it.”
Positions on Israel and Gaza: Sliwa has visited Israel three times and has criticized Mamdani as having “no love in his heart for the State of Israel and for Israelis.” He also rebuked Mamdani for his initial refusal to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada.” Sliwa has acknowledged that “there are many Jews who are opposed to the killing of what’s gone over in Gaza,” but said “I disagree with them.”
Policies affecting Hasidic communities: Sliwa said the Bill de Blasio administration didn’t do enough to enforce state guidelines requiring private school education to be “substantially equivalent” to instruction at public schools.
“If parochial schools and religious schools that are not ultra-Orthodox or Hasidic have to follow those rules, then everybody does,” Sliwa told the Forward. We can’t start making exceptions.”
Bagel order: “I get me and my wife’s breakfast while she feeds our five rescue cats. For me it’s two toasted plain bagels. The schmear 🥯 is butter. My wife has an everything bagel toasted. The schmear is cream cheese. Two cups of coffee and we are good to go. I go to Giacomo on the UWS [Upper West Side]. A mom and pop shop with classical music playing and the customers standing on line waiting are a good political focus group for me. 👍”
What else you need to know:
- During the 1991 Crown Heights riots, Sliwa patrolled the streets with the Guardian Angels to protect the Jewish community.
- Sliwa has two Jewish sons who are being raised as Jews by their mother, Melinda Katz. She and Sliwa are no longer a couple.
- Sliwa was the sour garlic pickle-eating champion of the world for four years in a row.
- In 2002, Sliwa placed second in a matzah ball eating contest, only to be disqualified after he was caught squishing the matzah balls to get the liquid out.
The post Overwhelmed by the NYC mayor’s race between Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo? Start here appeared first on The Forward.
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Italian rapper Ghali’s planned Winter Olympics set draws backlash over his Gaza advocacy
(JTA) — Italian rapper Ghali’s slated performance at the opening ceremony for this year’s Winter Olympics in Milan has drawn criticism from Italian leaders over his past activism against Israel.
Ghali Amdouni, a prominent Milan-born rapper of Tunisian parents, will be joined by a host of performers including Andrea Bocelli and Mariah Carey during the opening ceremony on Feb. 6. This year, nine Israelis will compete, including the national bobsled team for the first time.
The selection of Ghali drew criticism from members of Italy’s right-wing League party.
“It is truly incredible to find a hater of Israel and the centre-right, already the protagonist of embarrassing and vulgar scenes, at the opening ceremony,” a source from the party told the Italian outlet La Presse. “Italy and the games deserve an artist, not a pro-Pal fanatic.”
In early 2024, Ghali drew criticism from Italian Jewish leaders and Israel’s former ambassador to Italy, Alon Bar, after he called to “stop genocide” during his performance at the Sanremo Italian song festival. The spat later spurred protests outside the office of the Italian public broadcaster RAI.
On X, the rapper has also criticized other artists for not using their platforms for pro-Palestinian activism and appeared to refer to the war in Gaza as a “new Holocaust.”
Ghali’s selection comes as Italy has become an epicenter of pro-Palestinian activism that has been sustained even as such activism has receded in other places. In October, over 2 million Italians took part in a one-day general strike in support of Palestinians and the Global Sumud Flotilla. The previous month, a separate general strike was organized in response to call from the country’s unions to “denounce the genocide in Gaza.”
According to a study of global antisemitism published in April by Tel Aviv University, Italy was one of two countries that saw a spike in antisemitic incidents from 2023 to 2024. A September survey from the pollster SWG found that roughly 15% of Italians believe that physical attacks on Jewish people are “entirely or fairly justifiable.”
Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi said he does not believe Ghali will make a political statement on stage.
“It doesn’t embarrass me at all to disagree with Ghali’s views and the messages he sent,” said Abodi, according to the Italian outlet La Repubblica. “But I believe that a country should be able to withstand the impact of an artist expressing an opinion that we don’t share. And that opinion will not, in any case, be expressed on that stage.”
Noemi Di Segni, the president of the Union of the Italian Jewish Community, told Italian media that she was hopeful Ghali would receive instructions ahead of his performance.
“It is clear that I hope Ghali has received instructions or guidelines on the ‘role’ he is expected to play. So I hope he will understand what he needs to do in that context and at that moment,” Di Segni told the Italian outlet La Milano. “I am confident that he will understand what he is called upon to do in that context and at that moment.”
The post Italian rapper Ghali’s planned Winter Olympics set draws backlash over his Gaza advocacy appeared first on The Forward.
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After Alex Pretti killing in Minneapolis, Jewish gun owners confront Second Amendment tensions
(JTA) — Roberta Tarnove was horrified last week when she learned that a man protesting ICE was shot and killed in Minneapolis. And it wasn’t just because someone was dead.
The 65-year-old Jewish resident of Los Angeles was also distressed that federal officials said the agents were justified in shooting Alex Pretti because they believed he was armed. Pretti, 37, was a licensed gun owner in a state where carrying a gun openly is legal.
“I’m very sad. He certainly had every right to carry a gun,” Tarnove said.
The situation hit home for Tarnove because she, too, owns guns and has a permit allowing her to carry concealed firearms.
“As a Jewish person whose Sunday school teachers were mostly Holocaust survivors, there was something about Donald Trump’s presidential run that just hit me hard,” she said. “The dog whistles and things just sounded alarm bells in my head, and so I think I need to get a gun, not that I can overthrow the government, but just for personal protection.”
Since getting her first gun in 2015, Tarnove has been part of a Southern California Jewish gun club, Bullets & Bagels.
There was no discussion of Pretti’s killing at a Bullets & Bagels event featuring the Los Angeles district attorney on Sunday, according to the club’s founder, Fred Kogen. He said he could not comment on the specifics of the shooting.
“What happened there was that this gentleman lost his life, that’s all I know, to be honest, and that, interestingly enough, has not been a discussion within the community of Jewish shooters that I’m a part of,” Kogen said.
Tarnove wasn’t there on Sunday. But she said she wasn’t surprised by Kogen’s report.
“The reaction from the overruling gun community — and apparently the government — is, well, if you bring a gun to protest, you’re going to get shot,” Tarnove said. “So it’s Second Amendment for me, but not for thee, which is one of the things about the gun culture I really hate.”
Pretti’s killing has spurred sharp debate over whether the Trump administration’s response to armed protesters may be at odds with Second Amendment protections traditionally cherished by conservatives.
The debate is also taking place among American Jews. While American Jews have historically opposed gun ownership, Oct. 7 and the ensuing rise in antisemitism across the country has spurred many to take up arms for the first time. Now, Jewish gun owners are confronting a tension that has emerged between their right to bear arms and the federal government’s response to armed civilians.
“My personal opinion is that he was executed,” said J.N., a 59-year-old Jewish gun owner in the Washington, D.C., suburbs who requested anonymity to protect his employment. “I’ve watched the video like everybody else, his hand never went anywhere near his gun. It was handled horrifically.”
On the other hand, Bruce Cohen, a lifelong Jewish gun owner in Arizona who hosts the Facebook group Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership, said he believed Pretti was “looking for trouble.”
“I don’t know if I can fault the law enforcement officer,” Cohen said. “As a libertarian, I want very, very strict limits on police powers, I do not want police to abuse or mistreat or mislead citizens or non-citizens, for that matter, but I can see how that could happen, and if that person was more careful and more friendly and exercised his freedom of speech and right to protest in a more appropriate manner then he could be protesting today.”
In the wake of Pretti’s killing, several Trump administration officials said his gun possession instigated the shooting. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Pretti “attacked” officers and was “brandishing” a gun, though a preliminary report completed on Tuesday by Customs and Border Protection found he did not brandish a weapon during the encounter.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump himself said, “You can’t have guns. You can’t walk in with guns,” in response to a question about the killing from PBS.
“My assessment is the government is lying,” said J.N. “I don’t know why he carried it, but he’s entitled to carry it, he had a concealed carry permit. The Second Amendment says that you’re allowed to carry a gun, so I can’t fathom why the government, supposedly a Republican government, would say that.”
In a post on X, the National Rifle Association took aim at the rhetoric from the federal government, writing, “Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.”
A national Jewish gun club, Lox & Loaded, echoed that sentiment.
“Lox & Loaded stands firmly behind the absolute right to bear and conceal arms in any lawful setting,” said COO Gayle Pearlstein. “The pending investigation and resulting determination of the incident involving Mr. Pretti and federal law enforcement should in no way interfere with or call into question this longstanding personal right.”
Jordan Levine, the Jewish founder of the online gun advocacy group A Better Way 2A, said he believed the shooting of Pretti “sets a precedent, because it calls into question if somebody can be murdered for simply carrying a gun.”
But Levine stipulated that he was not concerned “as of right now” about losing Second Amendment rights.
“The Trump administration, thankfully, is still a bit removed from our court systems, and we’ve seen time and time again the court’s ruling in favor of Second Amendment liberties,” Levine continued.
Cohen said he would have handled the situation differently in Pretti’s shoes.
“If I was in his situation with his motivations, I would have introduced myself to the cops. I would have shaken hands with the cops, I would have said, hey, I disagree with what you’re doing, but thank you for being professional,” said Cohen.
But others within the JPFO Facebook group were quick to decry the federal government’s rhetoric.
“I’m not going to shut up and wait when agents of an authoritarian government are violating the rights of and killing citizens,” wrote one JPFO member. “The Declaration of Independence gives us the right to fight tyranny.”
J.N., who is also a member of the JPFO group, said, “As a Jewish person, and as an American, it sickens me.”
In the wake of Pretti’s killing, many critics have likened ICE’s tactics in Minneapolis to the Gestapo in Nazi Germany. While both Trump administration officials and some Jewish voices have called such comparisons inappropriate, for J.N., the similarities rang true.
“I’m not going to call them Nazis, because nobody’s being sent to the showers and burned en masse, OK, I get the difference, but I can tell you that I feel like they are using Gestapo techniques,” J.N. said.
Cohen said the comparison was a “standard left-wing package.”
“They train people to say that stuff, and it’s hypocritical and insincere because they don’t actually believe what they’re saying,” said Cohen. “I don’t see that at all, because we’re not, you know, the Jews in Germany. We’re not illegal aliens, we’re not on welfare, we’re not doing criminal things, we’re not stealing financially.”
For Tarnove, the federal government’s rhetoric around Pretti’s gun ownership had raised alarm bells for potential restrictions against gun ownership for certain groups.
“We aren’t past the point of no return, but we are getting so darn close, and I wish that more Jews would recognize that,” said Tarnove. “When the government can go after one group of people, then they can go after any group of people, and you’re not safe.”
The post After Alex Pretti killing in Minneapolis, Jewish gun owners confront Second Amendment tensions appeared first on The Forward.
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IDF official says 71,000 killed in Gaza war, matching Gaza Health Ministry estimate
(JTA) — A senior Israel Defense Forces official told Israeli media outlets on Thursday that the military estimates a death toll in Gaza of approximately 71,000 — the same number that the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry announced this week.
In the past, Israeli officials have sometimes disputed Gaza Health Ministry data, accusing the ministry of inflating death tolls. Though Israeli officials have not officially disputed the overall Gaza war figures for some time, they frequently contested the toll in specific incidents, and some pro-Israel advocates have continued to challenge estimates of the death toll in Gaza as Hamas propaganda.
Now, the senior official’s disclosure underscores that there is no gap in the total number of deaths estimated by both parties to the two-year war in Gaza.
The official reportedly said the IDF was still working to determine the breakdown between combatants and civilians in the total, as well as of how many died directly from military action. The Gaza Health Ministry’s toll does not distinguish between militants and civilians.
The official’s remarks on Thursday were briefed to Israeli outlets on condition of anonymity. By Thursday evening, an IDF official told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the reports did not reflect an official disclosure by the army.
“The IDF clarifies that the details published do not reflect official IDF data,” the IDF official said. “Any publication or report on this matter will be released through official and orderly channels.”
Israel has not published its own data on the death toll in Gaza to refute the ministry’s, but has maintained that it has killed roughly two to three civilians for every militant.
The Gaza Health Ministry says 71,667 Gazans died between Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel from the enclave, and today, including over 450 killed since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire went into effect in October. It also claims that at least 440 Palestinians have died of malnutrition and starvation, a figure that Israel denies.
Human rights NGOs and the United Nations have long said the ministry’s data is reliable. Some estimates by pro-Palestinian sources have suggested an even higher toll.
About 2 million Palestinians lived in Gaza at the outset of the war. The 71,000 figure means that about 3% of Gaza’s population was killed during the war.
The post IDF official says 71,000 killed in Gaza war, matching Gaza Health Ministry estimate appeared first on The Forward.