NEW YORK – Former New York state governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced a new advocacy group aimed at increasing support for Israel on the American left.
Cuomo, a Democrat, has resigned from office in 2021 following multiple sexual assault allegations, but is reportedly considering a political comeback attempt.
He announced his new group, “Progressives for Israel”, in a video address marking the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, hosted by celebrity rabbi Shmuley Botich, who heads the pro-Israel group World Values Network.
Cuomo said that anti-Semitism was partly hidden under the guise of anti-Zionism, and that while political disagreement with Israel was common, “that doesn’t mean we condemn people for politics.”
“It is time for our officials to condemn anti-Semitism, not only by their words, but also by their actions. You cannot condone anti-Semitism but waver on Israel’s right to exist and defend itself.
Referring to himself as a “Shabbos goy”, which means a non-Jew doing certain tasks that Jews are forbidden to observe during Shabbat, he said, “Shabbos goy that work can do that benefits both the Jewish community and the non-Jewish community.”
Incredible tribute to my mother, Eleanor Esther Elka Paul, from Governor @andrewcuomo. “Tonight my father the late great Mario Cuomo is sitting right now with the great Eleanor Esther Elka Paul, I’ll tell you what she’s saying. He is saying that it is time for Shabbo Goy. Shabbos goy can do work that benefits both the Jewish community and the non-Jewish community. Shabbos goys can turn on the lights on the Sabbath because it benefits everyone. I will stand up and light the lamp. I’m starting an organization called Progressives for Israel and I’m going to be asking questions for the Democrats. Are you standing with Israel or are you standing against Israel because silence is not an option. Never again a prayer, but a call to arms.”
Posted by Rabbi Shmuley Botich on Monday, March 13, 2023
“Shabbos goy can turn on the lights on the Sabbath because it benefits everyone. It’s time to turn on the lights,” Cuomo said. “I’m going to ask the question for the Democrats: Do you stand with Israel Or are you standing against Israel? Because silence is not an option.
A Cuomo spokeswoman said more details about the new group would be released soon.
Several progressive Jewish groups panned Cuomo’s announcement, including the New York Jewish Agenda, Partners for Progressive Israel, and Rabbi Jill Jacobs, director of Trua. Critics followed his allusion to antisemitism and opposition to Zionism and cited claims of persecution against him.
Chutjah. One of the last things the Jewish people, progressives, or Israeli democracy want is an outrageous, not actually progressive, former governor inserting himself at this critical moment for Israel in a dangerously misguided attempt to remain relevant. . https://t.co/015qhbn4uR
– New York Jewish Agenda (@NYJewishAgenda) March 14, 2023
US House Representative Jerry Nadler from New York, who is Jewish, also took aim at the former governor.
“Perhaps Mr. Cuomo doesn’t understand that there are many progressive, pro-Israel organizations – like the New York Jewish Agenda (NYJA) – right here in New York, doing just fine without his ‘help’,” he said.
Cuomo is believed to be considering another run for political office. New York State Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is warning donors that Cuomo is preparing to challenge her in next year’s re-election campaign, the daily beast Reported this week.
FILE – Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, DN.Y, speaks at Onondaga Community College on October 27, 2022 in Syracuse, N.Y. Gillibrand will be up for reelection in 2024. (AP Photo/Manuel Bales Seneta, File)
Gillibrand, Senator Chuck Schumer and other members of the Democratic Party leadership had called for Cuomo’s resignation After allegations of harassment surfaced. Cuomo has denied Unrighteousness.
Cuomo had strong ties to New York’s Jewish communities while in office, but this drew ire from religious groups restraining order On religious gatherings during the pandemic. Agudath Israel of America, an umbrella body for Orthodox Jews, sued Cuomo in federal court over the sanctions.
Outrage over restrictions, as well as pressure on yeshivas, pushed Many conservative voters root for Lee Zeldin, the Republican challenger in last year’s governor’s race. Zeldin lost to Cuomo’s successor, Cathy Hochul. New York has the largest Jewish population in the US and the majority of the community are Democrats.
Cuomo’s father, Mario Cuomo, had a positive relationship with New York Jews while governor, and also referred to himself as “one”.shabbos goy,
Andrew Cuomo too strongly condemned antisemitism while in office, was and is a vocal supporter of Israel Visited Jewish state at least four times.
A young girl holds a poster she made to join protesters outside the offices of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Cathy Willens)
Support for Israel has become a divisive issue for some in the Democratic Party, with many progressives supporting a tougher stance against the Jewish state because of its policies toward the Palestinians. New York’s leadership, including Hochul, remain staunch supporters of the Jewish state.
Israel’s new hardline government has also made relations with Washington and the American political establishment more difficult. In New York on Tuesday, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was called on by the White House as well as most Jewish groups during his visit to the US this week to “wipe out” a Palestinian village several weeks ago.
