In shift, NY’s pro-Israel Andrew Cuomo says Gaza war ‘carnage’ needs to end

Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, a longtime supporter of Israel who is running for New York City mayor, calls for an end to the “horrific” war in Gaza.

“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,” Cuomo tells The New York Times.

“It should end today. Return the hostages, end the violence. Today. I think it should have been over months ago. It is horrific,” Cuomo says.

He also condemns the leader in the mayoral race, the far-left Israel critic Zohran Mamdani, for his call to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mamdani doubled down on his vow to arrest Netanyahu this week, despite legal experts saying that, as mayor, he would not have the ability to do so.

“I don’t think the mayor of New York should be exercising his or her political judgment in arresting world leaders based on their politics,” Cuomo says.

Cuomo distances himself from Netanyahu. Last year, Cuomo signed up to join Netanyahu’s defense team after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu.

Cuomo says that he meant to contest the court’s jurisdiction, not claims about Netanyahu’s complicity in war crimes.

“I never stood with Bibi,” Cuomo says, using Netanyahu’s nickname.

Cuomo declines to say if the Israeli military has committed war crimes in Gaza.

Cuomo’s denunciation of the war marks a shift in tone from the former governor. During the primary campaign, he maintained a steadfast support for Israel as he aimed to win Jewish voters who were put off by Mamdani’s anti-Israel rhetoric.

Cuomo’s statements are another indication of how the Gaza war has scrambled support for Israel in New York politics and the Democratic Party.

Mamdani caused repeated controversies with his anti-Israel rhetoric during the primary campaign, particularly his defense of the slogan “globalize the intifada.” After coming under heavy pressure, Mamdani said he would “discourage” the use of the phrase.

A poll last week found that, despite the controversies, New York City voters favored Mamdani’s rhetoric on the conflict.

On Sunday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, another pro-Israel moderate, endorsed Mamdani’s candidacy.

Also running for mayor is New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a moderate who has held onto his pro-Israel line during the campaign.