Mayoral candidates' views on Gaza likely to come up at Jewish Federation forum

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Set us as preferred The mayor of Los Angeles doesn’t have a say on foreign policy.But that may not stop incumbent Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman from facing questions about Israel’s war in Gaza during a candidate forum co-hosted by Jewish Federation Los Angeles.Tuesday’s forum is expected to cover issues important to Jewish Angelenos, including Israel and antisemitism.

Organizers suggested that Councilmember Raman could also be asked about remarks she made during an interview with Twitch streamer Hasan Piker last spring.Asked by Piker if she believed Israel had committed genocide, Raman responded: “I do, yes.”Rabbi Noah Farkas, president and chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation, called Raman’s comments “very hurtful” to his organization and many in the Jewish community, saying the term genocide isn’t accurate.“I imagine there’s going to be a question that’s going to address that, and her choice in going on the podcast and her choice of language,” he said.Raman, in a statement, said she appreciates her relationship with the Jewish community and understands that “this subject is incredibly painful for them.”“I will always listen to their concerns, and as Mayor, I’ll do everything I can to keep them safe and combat antisemitism,” she said.Farkas said organizers plan to pose questions on an array of other topics, including homelessness and the city’s preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.The war in Gaza began in 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping 251.Israel’s resulting counteroffensive has led to 74,000 Palestinian deaths, according to figures issued by the Gaza Health Ministry.The death toll has sparked widespread condemnation from global leaders and from human rights organizations, causing Israel ...