Jewish leaders in NYC chided Queens County Democratic Party boss Rep. Gregory Meeks Thursday for creating an alliance with newly-elected anti-Israel socialists to block Mayor-elect Eric Adams from installing Francisco Moya as the next City Council speaker.
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis and an FDNY chaplain said such a move by Meeks is very wrong and one of the reasons why people don’t respect some politicians.
“It’s just wrong. It’s indefensible. It’s the reason why people don’t respect some politicians because they’re willing to cut a deal and allow the ends to justify the means,” Potasnik said.
The anger of Potasnik came after Meeks sought votes from the five Democratic Socialists of America-aligned members in the Council to support his preferred candidate for Council speaker, Adrienne Adams.
Potasnik does not like the DSA because they support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against the State of Israel, which is seen as a form of discrimination against the Jewish people.
“I don’t know why anybody would cut a deal with them. To me, conscience matters. What other group would it be OK to negotiate with that discriminates against other people?,” Potasnik added.
Meek at the moment has yet to issue his side on the matter.
Meanwhile, Adams acted as peacemaker on the issue saying that he could live with either Moya or Adrienne Adams — no relation –as speaker.
“I’m clear I want a partner [as council speaker] who is pro public safety, that’s pro business and that’s going to help our city recover. whoever it is our city council must pick. I can only share my opinion. And I shared my opinion in private to those who asked me for it,” Adams said.
Adams revealed Adrienne Adams, who represents southeast Queens, was an early supporter of his mayoral campaign and they both attended Bayside HS.
“Not only did Adrienne Adams endorse me, she voted against `defund the police,’” Adams added.
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