During a recent forum at the Skirball Cultural Center focused on issues important to Jewish residents of Los Angeles, mayoral candidates Councilmember Nithya Raman and Mayor Karen Bass presented contrasting views on the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the terminology used to describe it.
The discussion came amid heightened tensions following the 2023 war between Israel and Hamas, which began after a Hamas-led militant attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and resulted in the kidnapping of 251 individuals. Israel’s retaliatory actions in Gaza have been reported to have caused the deaths of around 74,000 Palestinians, according to figures from the Gaza Health Ministry. These developments have drawn condemnation from global leaders and human rights organizations, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed claims of genocide as “the biggest lie of the century.”
At the forum, Raman described Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, a characterization she said was informed by consultations with international experts, including some from Israel. She stated that the term reflected her response to images of targeted hospitals and the deaths of children she had witnessed. Raman acknowledged the term’s controversial nature but maintained her use of it was driven by the circumstances on the ground.
Bass, on the other hand, explicitly rejected the use of "genocide" to describe the conflict. She emphasized her focus on the impact of foreign affairs on the city of Los Angeles and the importance of maintaining safety and unity among its residents. Reflecting on her personal background, Bass mentioned that she attended schools with many Jewish students whose families were Holocaust survivors and expressed concern about divisiveness within the community.
The candidates also diverged on the issue of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. Raman described BDS as a “legitimate form of peaceful protest” and expressed her support for people’s right to protest, even when she might disagree with the causes. She clarified, however, that BDS was not part of her official campaign platform. Bass stated that she would oppose any City Council legislation endorsing BDS, without fully ruling out opposition depending on the specifics of the proposal.
Raman faced scrutiny over her previous interview with Hasan Piker, a leftist Twitch streamer known for his criticism of Israel and controversial remarks about Jewish communities. The forum moderator raised concerns about Raman’s decision to appear on Piker’s program, noting that his past statements had been deemed hurtful by many in the community. Raman responded that she had publicly spoken out against antisemitism and was the first elected official in Los Angeles to denounce the October 2023 attack on Israel. She also explained that reaching voters through diverse platforms, including those who do not follow traditional news media, was a key factor in her decision to engage with Piker’s audience.
Raman’s affiliations also came under discussion; she holds the endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America, which criticized her for accepting support from Democrats For Israel-Los Angeles, a pro-Israel group. Raman acknowledged that she would not seek such an endorsement if given the choice today.
The forum highlighted the complex and deeply felt perspectives among Los Angeles leaders regarding the Gaza conflict and its implications for the city’s diverse communities. Both candidates affirmed their commitment to protecting the safety and security of Jewish Angelenos, even as they articulated differing views on the international conflict and related protests.