Exclusive | Young Albany Democrats accuse Israel of genocide in Gaza sparking civil war within NY party
A Democratic civil war erupted over the Israel-Gaza war after the Young Democrats of Albany County issued a statement accusing the Jewish state of committing genocide in Gaza.State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs and other Democrats in the Capital District slammed the Albany Young Democrats’ stand as a wrong-headed smear.The offshoot Dem group ignited the intraparty fight with a Sept.3 statement by its executive board.“Let us make this crystal clear: Benjamin Netanyahu’s Israeli government has committed a genocide in Gaza and gross violations of international law against the Palestinian people,” the statement said.It made no mention that Hamas started the war by launching a sneak attack on Israel on Oct.
7, 2023 that killed about 1,200 people, including more than 800 civilians and many young people attending a music festival.In sum, Albany Young Democrats side with the Palestinians over Israelis.“We recognize the importance of making our position clear, and stand firmly in solidarity with young Democrats across America in fighting for the Palestinian people,” the statement said.“Young Democrats oppose the genocide in Gaza, the occupation of the West Bank and the Israeli government’s denial of civil and political rights on an equal basis in the territories its military occupies.”The Young Dems also said giving a “blank check” of billions of dollars in military aid to Israel “has to stop.”The statement parrots growing anti-Israel sentiment in the party, reflected by New York City democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier and “The Squad” in the House of Representatives that includes Reps.Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar.
But Gary Greenberg, who served on the Albany County Democratic Committee for 25 years, accused the Young Democrats of siding with Hamas and fomenting Jew hatred.“They’re basically supporting the policies of Hamas.That’s who the Pale...