Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced plans on March 13 to start a pro-Israel group via a video played at Carnegie Hall during World Values Network’s 80th commemoration of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
“I’m starting an organization called Progressives for Israel. I am going to call the question for Democrats. Do you stand with Israel or do you stand against Israel, because silence is not an option,” said Cuomo, who resigned amid multiple sexual-assault allegations a year-and-a-half ago.
Cuomo referred to himself as a “Shabbos goy,” a non-Jew whom a Jew asks to do something on Shabbat that is forbidden for the Jew to do.
It was not immediately clear if Cuomo was serious about creating a new group or speaking rhetorically. Several progressive groups focused on Israel exist, and JNS could find no web presence for a new Cuomo-run group.
A Twitter handle called Progressives for Israel added, in all capital letters, to its profile: “Not affiliated with Andrew Cuomo!”
Cuomo did not respond to a request for comment from JNS.
