Former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York has long cast himself as a “hyper-aggressive” supporter of Israel, not only defending its war in Gaza but actively confronting fellow Democrats who do not.
But as his lagging campaign for mayor of New York City enters its final weeks, there are signs that Mr. Cuomo’s stance has begun to shift.
In an interview with The New York Times on Monday, Mr. Cuomo said the situation in Gaza had become “horrific,” called for an immediate end to the war and gently distanced himself from Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, a man he had signed up to defend in the International Criminal Court less than a year ago.
“There is no doubt that the people of New York and the nation see the continued carnage that is happening and are deeply, deeply disturbed and want it over, and believe it has gone on way too long,” Mr. Cuomo said.
He added: “It should end today. Return the hostages, end the violence. Today. I think it should have been over months ago. It is horrific.”
Many Democrats, especially the front-runner in the mayoral race, Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, have offered far harsher criticisms of Israel and its leader two years into the war in Gaza, where more than 60,000 people have been killed, according to health officials there.
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The post Cuomo, Staunch Supporter of Israel, Says ‘Horrific’ Gaza War Must End appeared first on New York Times.
