Yang Backtracks Support For Israel After Facing Criticism

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Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang speaks to the media during the announcement of his candidacy for mayor of New York City, February 2021. Credit: Lev Radin/Shutterstock.

NEW YORK (JNS) – Democratic candidate for New York City mayor Andrew Yang apologized on Wednesday for saying that he supports Israel’s right to defend itself against an onslaught of rocket fire from Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

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Yang, 44, posted a statement on Twitter after facing a backlash for saying on Monday night: “The people of NYC will always stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel who face down terrorism and persevere.”

In a new Twitter post, he wrote that volunteers for his mayoral campaign “were upset with my recent tweet expressing solidarity with the people of Israel. … They felt that my tweet was overly simplistic in my treatment of a conflict that has a long and complex history full of tragedies. And they felt it failed to acknowledge the pain and suffering on both sides.”

“They were, of course, correct,” he said. “I mourn for every Palestinian life taken before its time as I do for every Israeli. … Support of a people does not make one blind to the pain and suffering of others.”

Yang’s original tweet sparked #YangSupportsGenocide; as a result, Muslim organizers canceled a pre-planned food drive with him to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, reported the New York Post.

Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) attacked the candidate for his “chest-thumping statement” in support of Israel. And Talbert Swan, a leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, tweeted about Yang: “The systemic oppression, institutional discrimination and violent persecution of Palestinians are crimes against humanity. It is wicked, evil and inhumane. Glad to know where you stand.”


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16 Comments
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Chasid
Chasid
3 years ago

Keep on endorsing him all our mosdos, and hiemishe politicians, sell out your own Brothers in Israel for some money for your moisdos, what a disgrace of our own yidden, haven’t you learned from endorsing the Blasio and Como that they’re not here for you, how blimd could some money make you, stop endorsing Democrats no matter if New York is a democratic state or not, not everything is money, have some moral values, stand up for Jewish values.

MTL
MTL
3 years ago

I wonder how many Jews who endorsed this guy will still vote for him.
Isn’t the only one who is actually firm in what he says Curtis Sliwa? Seems that should be the obvious choice in the community. But, hey. What do I know? I’m not a politician.

YITZCHOKLEVI
Active Member
YITZCHOKLEVI
3 years ago

I am expecting Kalman Yaeger & Simcha Eichenstein to publicly state that theyare reconsidering their support of this “gornisht” for Mayor. He has now shown us who he is and that he blows like a feather in the wind

Dogface
Dogface
3 years ago

The face [i.e. the leadership] of [the] generation [immediately preceding the Messianic Redemption] will be like the face of a dog.” On the leash of public opinion.

hashomer
hashomer
3 years ago

Yang has no business running for NYC Mayor. He is an outsider, a ‘celebrity’. He DOES NOT support Israel. What does he say about Black attacks on Asians? He is a nothing.

Educated Archy
Educated Archy
3 years ago

Why can’t we find a normal level headed Republcian to run? He will win if he runs. Whats so hard? Can we at least do that for Governor and boot out antihcos.

mythoughts
mythoughts
3 years ago

No spine and no guts. He should not be our next mayor. Eric Adams seems to be the only logical choice.

Last edited 3 years ago by mythoughts
normaljew613
normaljew613
3 years ago

Yang is not qualified to be dog catcher unfortunately some so called rebbes are endorsing him anything for free money

Not Surprised
Not Surprised
2 years ago

Vote for Sliwa! It’s the obvious and only reasonable choice.

Nafka minah
Nafka minah
3 years ago

We learn four things from this:

  1. Yang’s gut reaction is to stand with Israel.
  2. The Democratic party considers Israeli self-defense to be a crime.
  3. Yang’s ability to act according to his gut reaction will be blocked by the Democratic organization to which he belongs.
  4. Yang might well make a fine Republican.
Read his words
Read his words
3 years ago

He didnt backtrack he just added on to his statement. He is still very pro Israel even after all the backlash.