Jewish leaders condemn Queens pol John Liu for endorsing anti-Israel Zohran Mamdani for NYC mayor

Jewish leaders and activists have signed an open letter condemning Queens state Sen. John Liu for endorsing staunch Israel foe Zohran Mamdani for mayor, The Post has learned.
The letter, signed by more than 60 mostly Jewish residents in the borough, called Liu's endorsement a betrayal.
It is set to appear as an ad in local Queens Jewish publications, said the letter's organizer, Michael Nussbaum, a board member of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York and former head of the Queens Jewish Community Council.
'Mamdani has made it clear that he is a virulently anti-semite in words and deeds… As a leader in our county, and a representative of a large Jewish population, we consider your endorsement a slap in our face,' states the missive, which shows the Israeli flag with the Star of David in the top right corner.
'Given the history of hateful acts against our community, this support will not go unnoticed,' it says.
Liu's 16th District in northeast Queens has a significant Jewish population and his endorsement was a coup for Mamdani.
Mamdani supports the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel and has opposed its right to exist as a Jewish state.
Liu, a former city comptroller and councilman, is an Asian-American trailblazer who is widely respected.
Nussbaum told The Post he has known the state senator for decades and respects him as a gifted politician and good public servant — and that's why he was shocked that Liu was backing the most anti-Jewish and Israeli candidate in the race.
'Why would he attach his name to someone who is an enemy of Israel and the Jewish people?' Nussbaum asked.
During his June 2 endorsement of Mamdani, Liu noted that he had a 'big disagreement' with the Democratic socialist assemblyman on the 'the issue of Israel and how the Jewish community needs to be viewed in this social climate.'
Nussbaum said he didn't 'buy Liu's explanation' for backing Mamdani.
The wellbeing of the Jewish people is the defining issue in this race given the rise in antisemitism, he said.
Other signatories of the letter include former CUNY trustee Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, Yaniv Meirov, CEO at Chazaq Organization; cantor Alan Brava of the Free Synagogue of Flushing, Zev Berman, executive vice president of the Queens Jewish Community, retired judges Jeremy Weinstein and Jeff Leibowitz, and David Aronov of the UJA Federation of New York.
In closing, the letter quotes scripture: 'Even my close friend whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.'
Liu, in a statement on Tuesday, defended his endorsement of Mamdani but also said he would continue to stand with the Jewish community.
'This public rebuke – and the many private protestations – come from respected individuals and organizations with whom I've worked for many years, and I accept them and the consequences they will bear,' Liu said.
'Notwithstanding the deep disapproval of my endorsement, I will continue to stand with and up for the Jewish community.'

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