You are reading

Andrew Yang Comes Under Fire in Astoria, Following Comments on Israel-Palestinian Conflict

Andrew Yang came under fire Tuesday following a controversial tweet regarding the Israel-Palestinian conflict (Photo: @andrewYang)

May 12, 2021 By Allie Griffin

Mayoral candidate Andrew Yang got a cool reception in Astoria Tuesday after he sent out an apparent pro-Israel tweet Monday night.

Yang visited the neighborhood for an endorsement announcement and was then scheduled to join a local nonprofit to distribute groceries to families ahead of Eid al-Fitr, a Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

However, a statement he tweeted Monday evening about the Israel-Palestinian conflict left him in hot water and the nonprofit Astoria Welfare Society rescinded its invitation.

“I’m standing with the people of Israel who are coming under bombardment attacks, and condemn the Hamas terrorists,” Yang tweeted. “The people of NYC will always stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel who face down terrorism and persevere.”

The Astoria Welfare Society asked Yang not to come to the food distribution event due to his pro-Israel remarks, the nonprofit said in a statement.

“We, Astoria Welfare Society in New York, rescinded our invitation to Andrew Yang for our Eid event today,” the group tweeted. “His disregard of Palestinian lives is regrettable and immoral.”

Like the nonprofit, many New Yorkers were upset that his tweet ignored the large number of Palestinians — including children — killed by Israeli military forces over the past three days.

Two New Yorkers confronted Yang head-on about his statement on the conflict Tuesday in Astoria, video shows.

“What do you have to say about your tweet directly to New Yorkers right now,” a woman asked Yang in a video posted to Twitter by a NY1 reporter.

“It’s heartbreaking to all of us what’s happening in the Middle East,” Yang responded.

A man in the video — identified as Abid Rahman by NY1 — then asked Yang if he would condemn Israel for “their unjust acts against innocent Palestinians?”

However, Yang’s aid steps in and grabs the candidate — who has the support of the city’s Orthodox Jewish community — before he addresses the question.

“Don’t say anything that’s going to f–k up your campaign,” the woman taunted Yang in response. “And that’s why you don’t have my vote and I guarantee you, you don’t have the vote of a lot of New Yorkers.”

The video gained the attention of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who sharply condemned Yang.

“Utterly shameful for Yang to try to show up to an Eid event after sending out a chest-thumping statement of support for a strike killing 9 children, especially after his silence as Al-Aqsa was attacked,” she tweeted. “But then to try that in Astoria? During Ramadan?! They will let you know.”

Astoria council candidate Tiffany Cabán retweeted Ocasio-Cortez’s tweet, emphasizing that Astoria residents will “let you know” when they disagree.

Ocasio-Cortez and Cabán are among a growing number of progressives in Queens who are outspoken critics of the Israeli government. Both are members of the the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which shares pro-Palestine views.

Another pro-Palestine politician is Astoria Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani.

Mamdani, also a DSA member, participated in an “Emergency Rally for Palestine” in front of the Israeli Consulate in Manhattan Tuesday.

“The struggle for Palestine is the struggle for dignity and every single one of us…has to be committed to dignity in Gaza; every single one of us that wants justice… needs to be fighting for justice in the West Bank,” Mamdani said at the rally.

He asked New Yorkers to pressure their elected officials to support the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement which asks other countries to boycott, divest and sanction Israel for its treatment of Palestinian citizens.

“We want to let them know that we have three letters that we have an answer to what is happening in Palestine. And it’s B.D.S,” he shouted, spurring a “BDS” chant.

This morning, Yang made another statement regarding the conflict.

He said a group of his own campaign volunteers approached him about the tweet which they said was “overly simplistic” and “failed to acknowledge the pain and suffering on both sides.”

“They were, of course, correct,” Yang said. “I mourn for every Palestinian life taken before its time as I do for every Israeli.”

“Support of a people does not make one blind to the pain and suffering of others,” he added.

email the author: news@queenspost.com

4 Comments

Click for Comments 
COCED

No wonder that for AOC and Co. only lives of Palestinian kids matter (look at her closest friends), for Jews she doesn’t have any sympathy. No matter what they all say, the root of the conflict lies in a simple fact – Palestinians do not want Israel to exist, in any form and shape, and the hatred for Jews is taught to children from their earliest day of life.
As for Andrew Yang candidacy – don’t think he has any chance, considering racism towards Asian people we’re seeing right now, racism coming from the left and supported by Black and Latino leaders.

1
5
Reply
Astorian

This sucker lost my vote! It’s a shame that all mayoral candidates are simply terrible. What does this sucker know about managing a city like NY? What has he done for our community other than promised money so he can buy the votes?

Reply
Anonymous

I live in Astoria and I support Israel. The impression that people in Astoria are radical terrorist supporters is false – those are just a tiny and insignificant but loud group of self-proclaimed activists and the politicians that brown-nose them. Astoria is still totally run by Greek, Italian and Balkan landlords, developers, bankers and entrepreneurs. Pro-socialism/communism organizations took over the distribution of food/aid to the poor so that the poor believe their continued receipt of food depends on their buying into a political ideology, similar to the way they were oppressed in their homelands by terrorists who block food deliveries to towns that don’t support them.

2
4
Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Catch the fall vibe at these western Queens breweries

Sep. 3, 2025 By Jessica Militello

September rings in the start of Oktoberfest from mid-September through October, featuring special brews, fun events and more fall fun. Western Queens is filled with breweries to enjoy seasonal brews, fall flavors and the start of cooler weather as Autumn approaches, making it a perfect time to meet up with friends at these local spaces.

Op-Ed | Four years after Hurricane Ida, Queens deserves real climate resilience

Sep. 2, 2025 By Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas

Four years ago, Hurricane Ida tore through our neighborhoods of East Elmhurst, Corona and Jackson Heights, leaving behind devastation we will never forget. We lost neighbors to the floodwaters. Families saw their homes destroyed, their basements wiped out, their lives upended. Immigrant families—so many of them undocumented—were hit the hardest, often excluded from relief altogether. Ida was not just a storm; it was a wake-up call.

Fall fun in western Queens: Your guide to the best seasonal events

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With beach days and summer BBQs behind us, the start of September rings in the start of magnificent Fall foliage, Halloween and more fun activities that come with the start of Autumn, including a list of Fall events in the area. From apple picking to seasonal ciders and more, there is tons to explore in the community. From Mystic Markets to scary movie meet-ups and more, here is a list of Fall events you do not want to miss.