Anti-'Israel' bill in New York widens Democratic rift in US

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Politico
30 May 2024 15:53
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A bill sponsored by Democratic-Socialists in New York has infuriated Democratic and Republican lawmakers for targeting Israeli charities supporting genocide.

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New York State Representative Zohran Mamdani poses for a commemorative picture during a rally promoting a bill meant at denying charities supporting the Israeli genocide of Palestinian tax cuts in the state, the United States, on May 29, 2023. (X/@sarahana)

A state bill targeting pro-Israeli charities in New York, backed by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortex (AOC), has deepened the division within the Democratic Party, particularly when it comes to stances relating to the war on Gaza.

The measure, backed by AOC, aims to take away tax-deductible status from pro-Israeli charities facilitating Israeli war crimes. Lawmakers are pushing for the bill, targeting charities that fund organizations that engage in violations of the Geneva Conventions.

However, the bill has not found any support among the Democratic Party's old guard, or what has been described as "establishment members", who believe that the bill is a "non-starter".

Mike Whyland, a spokesperson for the New York Assembly speaker Carl Heastie, told Politico, "It's a non-starter and the Speaker's position has not changed."

As Politico points out, the New York Senate's decision to ignore the bill comes in stark contrast to the hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters who rallied in Albany demanding the bill be passed.

The bill is sponsored by New York State Representative, Zohran Mamdani, and New York Senator Jabari Brisport.

I have watched in horror as Israel massacred Palestinian babies in Rafah.

In New York, if you donate to the IDF unit that bombed those tents filled with children, you will get a tax break.

Tell your legislator: Not On Our Dime!https://t.co/YYfNyu8vmg pic.twitter.com/Bp9Rym0Fe9
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) May 30, 2024

Lawmakers supporting Palestine work against deep-state tide

Mamdani and Brisport, both of whom are Democratic-Socialists, also say that the measure would be supported by most New Yorkers, citing polls showing Democrats’ support for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

Brisport said in an interview that fellow lawmakers have told him they agree with the bill but are being cautious about crossing their party and drawing opposition.

"I will not share names, but I have had legislators tell me, ‘Obviously I support the cause, but I’m not going to [support the bill] at the moment,'" he explained.

Today we're joining hundreds of New Yorkers with @NotOnOurDimeNY at the New York State Capitol to call on our elected representatives to sign onto the Not On Our Dime! Act.

This bill would stop New York State charities from funding Israeli war crimes. #NotOnOurDime pic.twitter.com/psDz3FFFIR
— Jewish Voice for Peace NYC (@jvpliveNY) May 29, 2024

Several other state lawmakers have shown their support for the bill, including six Democratic-Socialist lawmakers and Democratic Party Senator Robert Jackson.

AOC has increasingly shown her support to Democratic-Socialists and progressives in New York, appearing side-by-side with Mamdani at a Bronx rally for the measure.

"It meant the world to me because it showcased that though there may be attempts to characterize this as a marginal position, in fact, this is the majority position," Mamdani said of AOC’s support.

Lawmakers such as Mamdani believe that measures against the Israeli regime's war crimes in Palestine are a majority view that is being misrepresented in the United States' halls of power.

Nonetheless, the Israeli war on Gaza is ongoing, with Joe Biden's administration doing little to nothing to halt it, despite international orders against it. The mobilization of lawmakers such as Mamdani comes in concurrence with enduring student protests in US universities, calling for divestment in the Israeli regime and an immediate ceasefire.