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 Submit has realized.
The letter, signed by greater than 60 principally Jewish residents within the borough, known as Liu’s endorsement a betrayal.
It’s set to look as an advert in native Queens Jewish publications, mentioned the letter’s organizer, Michael Nussbaum, a board member of the Jewish Group Relations Council of New York and former head of the Queens Jewish Group 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 reveals the Israeli flag with the Star of David within the high proper nook.
“Given the history of hateful acts against our community, this support will not go unnoticed,” it says.
Liu’s sixteenth District in northeast Queens has a big Jewish inhabitants and his endorsement was a coup for Mamdani.
Mamdani helps the boycott, divestment and sanctions motion in opposition to Israel and has opposed its proper to exist as a Jewish state.
Liu, a former metropolis comptroller and councilman, is an Asian-American trailblazer who’s extensively revered.
Nussbaum instructed The Submit he has recognized the state senator for many years and respects him as a gifted politician and good public servant — and that’s why he was shocked that Liu was backing essentially the most anti-Jewish and Israeli candidate within the race.
“Why would he attach his name to someone who is an enemy of Israel and the Jewish people?” Nussbaum requested.
Throughout his June 2 endorsement of Mamdani, Liu famous 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 mentioned he didn’t “buy Liu’s explanation” for backing Mamdani.
The wellbeing of the Jewish folks is the defining difficulty on this race given the rise in antisemitism, he mentioned.
Different signatories of the letter embody former CUNY trustee Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, Yaniv Meirov, CEO at Chazaq Group; cantor Alan Brava of the Free Synagogue of Flushing, Zev Berman, government vp of the Queens Jewish Group, 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 press release on Tuesday, defended his endorsement of Mamdani but in addition mentioned he would proceed to face with the Jewish neighborhood.
“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 mentioned.
“Notwithstanding the deep disapproval of my endorsement, I will continue to stand with and up for the Jewish community.”
