NYC Congressional Candidate Expresses Frustration With 'Obsession' Over Israel in Politics
Micah Lasher, a Jewish centrist running for New York's 12th Congressional District, said he is exhausted with how much Israel dominates political discourse and called for more focus on domestic issues like housing and childcare. Lasher, currently leading in polls for the seat being vacated by Jerry Nadler, made the comments at a synagogue forum while affirming his support for Israel's existence and concern for Palestinian casualties. The district has the largest Jewish population of any U.S. congressional district, making Israel-related issues particularly salient in the race.
New York State Assemblymember Micah Lasher, a leading candidate in the race for New York's 12th Congressional District, expressed frustration with the prominence of Israel-related issues in American politics during a Monday forum at B'nai Jeshurun Synagogue on the Upper West Side. When asked about Democratic Party antagonism toward Israel and U.S. aid questions, Lasher stated he was "exhausted" by the "obsession" with Israel in political dialogue, comparing the country's size to New Jersey. He emphasized that while he cares deeply about Israel's survival as a Jewish state and is heartbroken by Palestinian deaths, these complex issues cannot be adequately addressed in brief campaign responses and that pressing domestic concerns like housing and childcare deserve greater attention. Lasher, a Jewish centrist, is currently leading in polls with 22% support in the crowded primary race to succeed retiring Representative Jerry Nadler. The district, covering Manhattan's Upper West and East Sides, contains approximately 181,000 Jewish voters representing 23% of the population—the largest Jewish population of any U.S. congressional district. The primary election is scheduled for June 23.
What different sources said
- Times of IsraelCenter
NYC congressional candidate laments ‘obsession’ with Israel in politics
Related
Maine Governor's Race Heads to Ranked-Choice Runoff
Maine's gubernatorial election is heading to a ranked-choice voting runoff, with state election officials set to confirm the winner through a multi-round elimination process. Ranked-choice voting is used in Maine when no candidate wins an outright majority in the general election. The outcome will be determined in the coming weeks as officials tabulate voter preferences across multiple rounds.
ACT Public Schools to Close as Teachers Strike Over Pay and Working Conditions
All ACT public schools will close on Thursday, June 11, due to a full-day strike by teachers and school staff over unresolved pay negotiations. This marks the second strike action in 15 years, following a two-hour stoppage in May, with core disputes centered on staffing levels, workloads, and class sizes. The closure affects thousands of families and students across the territory as negotiations between the Education Directorate and the Australian Education Union remain at an impasse.
Telangana Roads and Buildings Engineer-in-Chief Arrested in Disproportionate Assets Case
Mohan Naik Jarupla, Engineer-in-Chief of Telangana's Roads and Buildings Department, was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau on charges of accumulating assets beyond his known income sources. Searches across 16 locations uncovered properties, cash, gold, and other valuables officially valued at approximately Rs 17.95 crore, with actual market value potentially exceeding Rs 100 crore. The case highlights alleged corruption during his government service and remains under investigation.