At a mayoral forum in Los Angeles aimed at Jewish voters, Nithya Raman defended her use of the term "genocide" to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza, despite an uneasy reaction from the crowd of about 1,000 people. LAPD recorded 46 anti-Jewish hate crimes in the first five months of 2026, a 12% increase over the previous year. Raman emphasized her stance against antisemitism and noted that she was one of the first to condemn attacks on October 7. The forum featured both Raman and Mayor Karen Bass, with polls showing Raman leading in voter preferences ahead of the November runoff election.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-30,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
At a Jewish Los Angeles Mayoral Forum held at the Skirball Cultural Center in June 2026, Nithya Raman, a progressive City Councilwoman and mayoral candidate, defended her use of the term "genocide" to describe Israel's actions in Gaza. This sparked unease among the roughly 1,000 attendees. In contrast, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass distanced herself from Raman’s stance on both BDS and the characterization of Israeli actions as genocide. The forum highlighted the increasing sensitivity around antisemitism; LAPD recorded 46 anti-Jewish hate crimes in Los Angeles from January through May 2026, marking a significant rise compared to previous years.
Written for “Nithya Raman Controversy” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 3 other(s) covering the same event.
Nithya Raman walked straight into one of the most explosive issues of her mayoral campaign Tuesday night.
asserted
Raman → walk → campaign
The Los Angeles City Councilwoman defended her decision to call Israel’s actions in Gaza a “genocide” at the 2026 Jewish Los Angeles Mayoral Forum, prompting an uneasy reaction from parts of the roughly 1,000-person crowd at the Skirball Cultural Center.
“The word genocide is a deeply painful word.
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Councilwoman → defend → Center
I understand its historical context and the weight of that historical context for the world, not just this for the room but for the world,” Raman said.
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Raman → understand → world
I used it because other experts have used it to describe what’s happening and I used it because I felt compelled to speak out about issues that we saw, the images that are coming, the targeting of hospitals, the deaths of children.”
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that → use → children
The issue carried particular weight at a forum aimed squarely at Jewish voters, especially as Los Angeles continues to deal with rising anti-Jewish hate.
asserted
Angeles → carry → hate
LAPD recorded 46 anti-Jewish hate crimes from Jan. 1 through May 31, 2026, putting the city on a pace roughly 12% above the previous year.
uncertain
LAPD → record → year
Raman sought to draw a line between her views on Gaza and antisemitism.
asserted
Raman → seek → Gaza
“I know that antisemitism is rising across the entire country and in this city,” she said.
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she → know → city
“I believe it is coming from every side of the political spectrum, right and left.”
asserted
it → believe → spectrum
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“I never want progressive politics to be conflated with antisemitism.”
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politics → download → antisemitism
She also pointed to her response following the Oct. 7 attacks.
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She → point → attacks
“I was the first in City Hall to condemn the attacks.
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I → condemn → attacks
I condemn them without reservation and I will speak up.”
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I → condemn → reservation
The forum put Raman and Mayor Karen Bass under a bright political spotlight with just weeks before the Nov. 3 runoff.
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forum → put → runoff
They appeared separately in conversations with Spectrum News anchor Alex Cohen, answering the same core questions and taking questions from selected audience members.
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They → appear → members
The gathering was hosted by Jewish Federation Los Angeles, the Skirball Cultural Center, ADL Los Angeles, Jewish Family Service LA and AJC Los Angeles, along with 45 community partners.
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gathering → host → partners
Rabbi Noah Farkas and Skirball CEO Jessie Kornberg opened the event.
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Farkas → open → event
She won 34% in the June 2 primary, compared with 29% for Raman, becoming the first sitting LA mayor since 2005 forced into a runoff.
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She → win → runoff
A Berkeley IGS/Los Angeles Times poll showed Raman ahead 39% to 28%, with 33% undecided.
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% → show → ?
Raman led younger voters, while Bass had stronger support among voters 65 and older.
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Bass → lead → voters
The same poll showed Bass with a 28% favorable rating and 63% unfavorable.
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poll → show → rating
Raman registered 40% favorable and 39% unfavorable.
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Raman → register → ?
Both campaigns have raised about $2.5 million.
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campaigns → raise → million
Outside groups spent millions more, including the Los Angeles Police Protective League, which spent money against Raman.
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which → spend → Raman
Raman also pointed to the appetite for change behind the race, saying voters who backed Spencer Pratt reflected “the desire for change in Los Angeles.”
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who → point → Angeles
The Aporia
