On February 9th, Brian Romero posted a minute-long video on Instagram introducing his campaign to represent Northwest Queens in the New York State Assembly. In the video, he discussed his support for building more affordable housing and creating universal childcare. He also mentions that “Your tax dollars should be used to provide for working families, not the occupation of Gaza.” When I first saw this, I was taken aback: what does the New York State Assembly have to do with Gaza?

Romero’s campaign is part of a larger movement to demonize Jews and the State of Israel in local New York City politics. 

Christian Celeste Tate is running for assembly to represent Bushwick, Brooklyn. On his website, he mentions several issues which he is focused on, including “Environmental Justice,” “Universal Childcare,” and “Stand with Palestine.” Like Brian Romero, he believes that the war in Israel is not an international issue, but rather a local one. Celeste Tate stated on his website that, “The ongoing genocide and occupation in Palestine is a local issue here in Bushwick and East New York. Our community understands that the oppression, violence, and displacement we are fighting against here at home are part of the same power imbalance we are witnessing across the world.” His statement is absurd. There is no genocide (or a Palestine), and the issues in Bushwick are not interlinked with Israel or Jews. 

On his website, Celeste Tate also explains how he will “Stand with Palestine”:

“We will pass the Not on Our........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)