It is time to get back to writing after two weeks off. There is so much to discuss that it was hard to decide what to address. I was going to focus on the Hamas-Israel deal in detail; however, that would require an article of its own. Instead, there is an issue that has a greater impact on New York City and needs to be addressed.
Nevertheless, I will briefly comment on the various reactions to the Hamas–Israel peace deal. Many Democrats, including myself—though I normally disagree with almost everything Trump does—gave Trump credit for the deal. This is despite the fact that the Israeli government was pressured into it. It was the better of two bad choices.
In Israel, some members of the Knesset who opposed the agreement and wanted Israel to finish off Hamas in Gaza boycotted Trump’s appearance before the Knesset. I respect them for standing up for their principles. In contrast, I have seen here in the United States that many Trump supporters who also wanted Israel to finish the job have either fallen silent or switched positions to praise the deal. I am curious to hear from my fellow columnists and letter writers - those who previously wanted Israel to finish the job - regarding their thoughts on the agreement.
Then there are those on the left who kept clamoring for a ceasefire so that aid could enter Gaza. That has now happened, and they are silent. Others continue protesting. They, too, have been quiet since the deal, even as Hamas has killed its own opponents. This just proves that it was never truly about Gaza; they want the end of the State of Israel as a Jewish state.
The front-runner for mayor said during a debate that he supports the continuation of the State of Israel but not as a Jewish state. He also stated that he supports the “Law of Return,” which would result in an Arab majority. This is Mamdani’s slick way of saying, “Palestine will be free from the river to the sea.”
Although many New Yorkers are supporting Mamdani because of his populist message about affordability, it is naïve to believe that his views about Jews and Israel will not matter once he becomes mayor. For those who believe he will change once in office, Jewish history is full of antisemites who openly expressed their beliefs about Jews and what they would do to them if they ever gained power. Many Jews did not believe them - and suffered the consequences when those antisemites rose to power.
Right now, Mamdani has a sizable lead. The only way he can be defeated is if there is a united front behind one candidate. We saw what happened when Adams dropped out - almost all of his supporters went to Cuomo.
Sliwa should follow Adams’ lead and exit the race. However, it does not appear that he intends to. I doubt he will face any pressure from national Republicans or from Trump to do so, since having Mamdani as mayor would help frame Democrats as socialists. Idiotic comments from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt - who refers to New York City Democrats as Hamas supporters, illegal aliens, and criminals - are not helpful. Instead, they will only motivate Mamdani’s supporters to turn out and vote.
Mamdani wants to talk about Trump because he doesn’t want the spotlight on his lack of experience or his extreme ideas. He falsely tries to portray Cuomo as beholden to Trump.
Just because Sliwa remains in the race is not a reason to vote for him. A vote for Sliwa is effectively a vote for Mamdani. If you have sworn that you will never vote for a Democrat or you are holding a grudge against Cuomo, this is the time to make an exception. The stakes are simply too high.
One way to encourage other Sliwa supporters to switch to Cuomo is to show public support for Cuomo. Come this Sunday, October 26, at 1:00 p.m., in front of the Kew Gardens Hills Library, 72-33 Vleigh Place. United we stand, divided we fall.
