Nithya Ramans genocide remarks rattleJewish crowd atLAmayoral forum

Nithya Raman walked straight into one of the most explosive issues of her mayoral campaign Tuesday night.The Los Angeles City Councilwoman defended her decision to call Israel’s actions in Gaza a “genocide” at the 2026 Jewish Los Angeles Mayoral Forum, prompting an uneasy reaction from parts of the roughly 1,000-person crowd at the Skirball Cultural Center.“The word genocide is a deeply painful word.I understand its historical context and the weight of that historical context for the world, not just this for the room but for the world,” Raman said.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story Raman said she used the term after seeing reports and images she found deeply disturbing.“I used it because other experts have used it to describe what’s happening and I used it because I felt compelled to speak out about issues that we saw, the images that are coming, the targeting of hospitals, the deaths of children.”The issue carried particular weight at a forum aimed squarely at Jewish voters, especially as Los Angeles continues to deal with rising anti-Jewish hate.

LAPD recorded 46 anti-Jewish hate crimes from Jan.1 through May 31, 2026, putting the city on a pace roughly 12% above the previous year.Raman sought to draw a line between her views on Gaza and antisemitism.“I know that antisemitism is rising across the entire country and in this city,” she said.

“I believe it is coming from every side of the political spectrum, right and left.”California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!“I never wan...