Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo appeared to criticize Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza in what Bloomberg News reported as a “shift” in tone as he revamps his campaign for mayor of New York after losing June’s mayoral primary to upstart New York state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.
In later comments to The New York Times, Cuomo argued that Israel was not solely responsible for the “heartbreaking” situation in Gaza.
Newsweek reached out to Cuomo’s campaign for comment on Tuesday night.
Why It Matters
Mamdani, 33, set off a political earthquake in June by winning New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, overcoming millions of dollars in ads and super PAC spending backing the campaign of political veteran Cuomo.
A self-described democratic socialist, Mamdani leads a five-candidate New York City mayoral race by double digits and amasses more than 50 percent of the vote regardless of his opponent, according to a poll released at the end of July. Cuomo came in second, receiving 22 percent.
Republican Curtis Sliwa garnered 13 percent in the poll, New York Mayor Eric Adams received 7 percent, former federal prosecutor Jim Walden collected 1 percent and “others/I don’t know” totaled 6 percent.
Cuomo is a staunch supporter of Israel while Mamdani’s criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza has set him apart from many mainstream Democrats and brought accusations of antisemitism, which he has fiercely denied.
The issue could divide New Yorkers when they vote for mayor in November.
What To Know
Cuomo, in an interview with Bloomberg News, appeared to criticize Israel over conditions in Gaza, where aid agencies have warned of growing famine.
“Do I support what the Israel government is doing vis-à-vis Gaza? No. Do I support Israel impeding humanitarian aid? No,” he said.
Israel has denied an intentional campaign to withhold food to Gaza’s 2 million residents.
Bloomberg said Cuomo “shifts [his] tone on Israel” as he revamps his campaign following his June primary defeat.
But in later comments to the Times, Cuomo seemed to back off those earlier remarks, saying all sides had to act to ensure humanitarian aid gets through, the outlet reported.
“Everyone should do everything they can to get the humanitarian aid delivered,” Cuomo said, adding: “It’s heartbreaking as a father to imagine what children are going through.”
Cuomo told the Times that in the earlier interview, he was expressing the views of some New Yorkers, but not his own.
“I was airing what some people feel. You have some people who feel that Israel is not acting appropriately. That’s their opinion,” he said.
“It is incumbent on every entity that is involved — Israel, Palestine, the United Nations, the Red Cross — to do everything to expedite the food and water,” he said.
Rich Azzopardi, spokesperson for Cuomo, told Newsweek: “As he is known to do when arguing a point, Governor Cuomo was mimicking two sides of a discussion.”
In a comment emailed to Newsweek, Cuomo said: “Every moral and humane person or entity should make every effort to ensure that the goods intended for civilians gets to those civilians, and that the hostages must be released and the humanitarian crisis must end.”
What People Are Saying
Azzopardi also told Newsweek: “There has been a lot of misinformation about what’s taking place on the ground in Gaza and the governor is not in a position to know what Israel or the U.N. or the Red Cross is doing or not doing.”
What Happens Next
The New York City mayoral general election is set for November 4.
Update 08/05/25, 11:52 p.m.: This article has been updated with comments from Cuomo and his spokesperson.
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