Footage of Andrew Cuomo schmoozing with then-Palestinian Liberation Group chief Yasser Arafat in 2000 are again within the highlight now that the ex-governor is making a comeback bid for mayor.
Cuomo, who was then Invoice Clinton’s secretary for Housing and City Growth, sat down with Arafat on June 23, 2000, as a part of a three-day journey to Israel.
He additionally met with then-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and introduced the creation of a binational fee on housing and group growth.
However at the least one Jewish activist stated seeing anybody meet with Arafat made his blood boil.
“The one acceptable photograph with Yasser Arafat is placing a knife in his again. Arafat was a pure, unadulterated terrorist. He was an actual monster,” stated Dov Hikind, founding father of People towards Antisemitism and former Brooklyn state Assemblyman representing closely Jewish Borough Park for many years.
Arafat, who died in 2004, was accused of launching the second intifada rebellion towards Israel after peace negotiations at Camp David broke down with the Jewish state.
The PLO denied that Arafat was behind the fear assaults within the coronary heart of Israel.
However Hamas chief and co-founder Mahmoud al-Zahar in 2010 stated that “President Arafat instructed Hamas to hold out numerous army operations within the coronary heart of the Jewish state after he felt that his negotiations with the Israeli authorities then had failed.”
Arafat’s spouse, Suha, later confirmed in an interview Dubai TV that Arafat launched the fear assaults in Israel.
The Put up obtained the pictures of the comfy sit-down through a authorized request with HUD again in 2002, throughout Cuomo’s first unsuccessful run for governor, and printed a narrative concerning the assembly.
Different Jewish activists defended the three-term Democrat, saying he and his father former Gov. Mario Cuomo, who died in 2015, have been staunch allies of Israel and the Jewish individuals.
“The best inner risk to America presently comes from the alliance between the Socialist Left and the Muslim Brotherhood that has infiltrated the Democratic Get together underneath the banner of ‘Progressivism,’” stated Matthew Schweber, a lawyer who’s a member of the Columbia College Jewish Alumni Affiliation.
“Brad Lander and Zohran Mamdani epitomize this risk,” he stated, referring to 2 of Cuomo’s opponents within the Democratic mayoral major.
“Conversely, Andrew Cuomo is the final bulwark towards the menace of ‘Defund the Police and ‘Loss of life to Israel,’” Schweber added.
“For sure, Andrew Cuomo is my first alternative for NYC’s subsequent mayor.”
Cuomo has been a frequent customer to Israel and as governor authorized an government order — nonetheless in place — that bars state entities from doing enterprise with corporations that assist the boycott, divestment and sanctions motion towards the Jewish state.
Cuomo’s marketing campaign defended his assembly with Arafat.
“There was no better ally and supporter of the Jewish individuals and Israel than Andrew Cuomo. Because the New York Put up is aware of, as a result of they lined this similar story 25 years in the past when it occurred,” stated Cuomo spokesman Richard Azzopardi.
“In 2000 the Clinton administration was working to barter peace between Israel and Gaza and Prime Minister Barak and PLA Chief Arafat respectively, and Secretary Cuomo’s assembly to the area have been in relation to these efforts. Sadly, as historical past has proven, these peace talks have been in the end not profitable.”
Cuomo’s rep stated the ex-governor is the one candidate who will vigorously combat antisemitism whereas his Democratic mayoral opponents play footsies with the anti-Israel left and even embrace the BDS-supporting, anti-Zionist Democratic Socialists of America.
“Rising anti-Israel sentiment and antisemitism writ giant are among the many many unchecked crises gripping New York Metropolis. The members of the DSA and supporters of members of the DSA, which incorporates many electoral officers in metropolis authorities, gasoline the spreading antisemitism,” stated Azzopardi.
“Governor Cuomo is the one particular person on this race with the expertise and the confirmed observe document to confront it.”
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