Politics

On Wednesday, October 20, His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Al-Issa, secretary general of the Muslim World League, visited Yeshiva University to participate in “Jews and Muslims: A Look Toward the Future,” the inaugural conversation in the Presidential Forum series, in which Yeshiva University president Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman engages with the global leaders and voices who are shaping today’s world. The event was conducted in association with the Rabbi Arthur Schneier Program for International Affairs of Yeshiva University, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and the American Sephardi Federation. 

 Have you ever heard of Scoop Jackson? Senator Henry Jackson was an American congressman and senator from Washington State. Well known in the ‘70s and ‘80s as a centrist Democrat, he was Israel’s greatest ally in the United States Congress. 

This week, Kathy Hochul was sworn in as the Governor of New York State. She assumed the position after the resignation of Andrew Cuomo for his acts and comments towards women. This turn of events may leave many New Yorkers to wonder just who is Kathy Hochul, and will her governorship be any different from Cuomo’s in terms of policy.

On Thursday, June 3, the Queens Jewish Community Council, the Queens Jewish Link, and the Bukharian Jewish Link sponsored an online forum for candidates for the City Council in the 29^th Council District. Eight of the nine candidates participated; Aleda Gagarin did not respond to the invitation. Ms. Gagarin and her husband Mel, who ran against Grace Meng in last year’s Congressional Primary, have a long history as anti-Israel activists. They have defended the BDS movement, which calls for the destruction of Israel, on free speech grounds. Aleda recently tweeted that she joined the Democratic Socialists of America because they stand up for “oppressed people,” like “the Palestinians.”

It was a bad week for political dynasties. In Albany, Governor Andrew Cuomo, the son of the late Governor Mario Cuomo, resigned in disgrace. In Afghanistan, America’s longest war, launched by former President George W. Bush, the son of the late President George H. W. Bush, ended in the most humiliating defeat in American history.

On Thursday, June 10, WCBS Channel 2 hosted the last televised debate between candidates in the Democratic Primary for Mayor before the start of early voting. A significant portion of the time was wasted discussing where people live. Most of the debate focused on serious questions.