Assemblyman Eichenstein Questions Challenger’s Credibility as Blake Attacks Ritchie Torres on Israel

NEW YORK — Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein questioned the credibility of former Bronx Assemblyman Michael Blake, who is challenging Rep. Ritchie Torres in next year’s Democratic primary. “So who is the real Michael Blake? Just a few months ago, he called himself the most pro-Israel candidate in the mayoral race,” Eichenstein said. “Did all that change when he was looking for an angle to challenge Ritchie Torres?”

Blake has criticized Torres over his support for Israel, calling the three-term congressman beholden to pro-Israel interests, while deleting past social media posts showing his own attendance at AIPAC events from 2014 to 2017.

So who is the real @MrMikeBlake? Just a few months ago , when he asked me to endorse him in the mayoral primary (despite his inability to garner even 1% of the vote), he referred to himself as the most pro-Israel candidate in the race, with a record to reflect that.

Did all that… https://t.co/53i6hx05vf pic.twitter.com/M1gAxEFIAg

— Simcha Eichenstein (@SEichenstein) November 7, 2025

The move drew condemnation from Jewish community leaders. Mark Treyger, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, said, “When you delete every pro-Israel post you ever made on the eve of an election, you’re not just throwing your Jewish friends under the bus — you’re deleting your sincerity and integrity.”

Torres, representing the 15th Congressional District in the Bronx, has focused on public housing and affordability. His campaign dismissed Blake’s attacks as politically opportunistic. “Michael Blake is not interested in the Bronx; he’s only interested in using it to run for office for the fifth time,” said Torres’ spokesman Benjamin Stanislawski.

Blake did not immediately respond.

I am running for Congress because the people of The Bronx deserve better than Ritchie Torres. I am ready to fight for you and lower your cost of living while Ritchie fights for a Genocide. I will focus on Affordable Housing and Books as Ritchie will only focus on AIPAC and Bibi.… pic.twitter.com/GYadKnQCeq

— Michael Blake (@MrMikeBlake) November 6, 2025