Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo appeared to criticize Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza in what Bloomberg News reported as a “shift” in tone as he revamps his campaign for mayor of New York after losing June’s mayoral primary to upstart New York state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.

In later comments to The New York Times, Cuomo argued that Israel was not solely responsible for the “heartbreaking” situation in Gaza.

Newsweek reached out to Cuomo’s campaign for comment on Tuesday night.

Why It Matters

Mamdani, 33, set off a political earthquake in June by winning New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, overcoming millions of dollars in ads and super PAC spending backing the campaign of political veteran Cuomo.

A self-described democratic socialist, Mamdani leads a five-candidate New York City mayoral race by double digits and amasses more than 50 percent of the vote regardless of his opponent, according to a poll released at the end of July. Cuomo came in second, receiving 22 percent.

Republican Curtis Sliwa garnered 13 percent in the poll, New York Mayor Eric Adams received 7 percent, former federal prosecutor Jim Walden collected 1 percent and “others/I don’t know” totaled 6 percent.

Cuomo is a staunch supporter of Israel while Mamdani’s criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza has set him apart from many mainstream Democrats and brought accusations of antisemitism, which he has fiercely denied.

The issue could divide New Yorkers when they vote for mayor in November.

What To Know

Cuomo, in an interview with Bloomberg News, appeared to criticize Israel over conditions in Gaza, where aid agencies have warned of growing famine.

“Do I support what the Israel government is doing vis-à-vis Gaza? No. Do I support Israel impeding humanitarian aid? No,” he said.

Israel has denied an intentional campaign to withhold food to Gaza’s 2 million residents.

Bloomberg said Cuomo “shifts [his] tone on Israel” as he revamps his campaign following his June primary defeat.

But in later comments to the Times, Cuomo seemed to back off those earlier remarks, saying all sides had to act to ensure humanitarian aid gets through, the outlet reported.

“Everyone should do everything they can to get the humanitarian aid delivered,” Cuomo said, adding: “It’s heartbreaking as a father to imagine what children are going through.”

Cuomo told the Times that in the earlier interview, he was expressing the views of some New Yorkers, but not his own.

“I was airing what some people feel. You have some people who feel that Israel is not acting appropriately. That’s their opinion,” he said.

What People Are Saying

In his later interview with the Times, Cuomo said: “It is incumbent on every entity that is involved — Israel, Palestine, the United Nations, the Red Cross — to do everything to expedite the food and water.”

What Happens Next

The New York City mayoral general election is set for November 4.