Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently gave a passionate speech at the Hampton Synagogue in Westhampton, showing his steadfast support for Israel and his dedication to combatting antisemitism. Rabbi Marc Schneier’s synagogue has become a prominent platform for politicians to address the public, with notable past speakers including Mayor Eric Adams, Hillary Clinton, Marco Rubio, Lindsey Graham, and Eric Cantor.
Cuomo, who has been reportedly encouraged to run for office again, co-founded Never Again, Now! with Steven M. Cohen. The organization has been actively running advertisements against the terrorist group Hamas. During his speech, Cuomo denounced Hamas as a genocidal terrorist organization aiming to eradicate the Jewish people, emphasizing that they do not promote Palestinian interests or human rights.
In addition to addressing Hamas, Cuomo also highlighted the concerning rise of antisemitism on college campuses in New York City. He pointed out the ongoing protests and harassment faced by Jewish students at institutions like NYU and Columbia. Notably, NYU recently settled a lawsuit related to allegations of antisemitism on campus by agreeing to monetary compensation and establishing a new position to address the issue.
Cuomo condemned the criminal acts and hate crimes perpetuated against individuals based on their race, religion, or creed. He referenced a recent incident at Columbia University, where charges against a mob that violently occupied Hamilton Hall were dropped by District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Cuomo criticized the lack of enforcement and urged for stricter measures to combat rising chaos in New York.
The former governor called for the appointment of special prosecutors to investigate and prosecute hate crimes in cases where district attorneys fail to take action. He stressed the importance of upholding the law and preventing further disorder in the state. Cuomo also announced plans to launch an educational campaign focusing on the history of Israel and the ongoing conflict in the region.
Moreover, Cuomo expressed his somber realization that antisemitism may never completely disappear, emphasizing the need for continued strength and vigilance in addressing the issue. He urged the community to remain resilient and proactive in combating hateful ideologies and actions.
Meanwhile, residents in East Hampton rallied for the return of hostages taken from Israel on October 7th, demonstrating solidarity with the country. The march featured performances by rapper Kosha Dillz, and attendees included former US attorney general Michael Mukasey, Diva Moms co-founder Lyss Stern, and End Jew Hatred’s Michelle Ahdoot.
In a show of continued activism, Ahdoot’s group is organizing an event in Los Angeles this week, with guest speakers like dietician Tanya Zuckerbrot, the Lawfare Project’s Brooke Goldstein, and entrepreneur Samantha Ettus. The event has already sold out, indicating a strong community interest in combating antisemitism and supporting Israel.