Nithya Raman defends her stance on ‘genocide,’ rattling Jewish crowd

Nithya Raman walked straight into one of the most explosive issues of her mayoral campaign Tuesday night.

The Los Angeles city councilwoman defended her decision to call Israel’s actions in Gaza a “genocide” at the 2026 Los Angeles Mayor’s Jewish Forum, provoking a worried reaction from some of the crowd of about 1,000 at the Skirball Cultural Center.

“The word genocide is a deeply painful word. I understand its historical context and the weight of that historical context for the world, not just for the room but for the world,” Raman said.

Raman said she used the term after seeing news reports and images that she found deeply disturbing.

“I used it because other experts have used it to describe what’s happening and I used it because I felt compelled to talk about the problems we’ve seen, the images coming in, the targeting of hospitals, the deaths of children.”

The issue took on particular importance at a forum aimed directly at Jewish voters, especially as Los Angeles continues to face growing anti-Jewish hatred. The LAPD recorded 46 anti-Jewish hate crimes between January 1 and May 31, 2026, putting the city at a rate about 12% higher than the previous year.

Raman sought to draw a line between his views on Gaza and anti-Semitism.

“I know anti-Semitism is increasing across the country and in this city,” she said. “I believe it comes from all sides of the political spectrum, right and left.”

Download the California Post app, follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletters

“I never want progressive politics to be confused with anti-Semitism. »

She also highlighted her response following the October 7 attacks.

“I was the first at town hall to condemn the attacks. I condemn them without reservation and I will speak out.”

The forum thrust Raman and Mayor Karen Bass into the political spotlight just weeks before the Nov. 3 runoff election. They appeared separately in conversations with Spectrum News anchor Alex Cohen, answering the same top questions and answering questions from selected audience members.

The rally was organized by the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, Skirball Cultural Center, ADL Los Angeles, Jewish Family Service LA and AJC Los Angeles, as well as 45 community partners. Rabbi Noah Farkas and Skirball CEO Jessie Kornberg opened the event.

The stakes for Bass are enormous. She won 34% of the vote in the June 2 primary, to Raman’s 29%, becoming the first sitting Los Angeles mayor since 2005 to be forced into a runoff.

A Berkeley IGS/Los Angeles Times poll showed Raman ahead 39% to 28%, with 33% undecided. Raman led among younger voters, while Bass had stronger support among voters 65 and older.

The same poll showed Bass with a 28% favorable rating and a 63% unfavorable rating. Raman recorded 40% favorable and 39% unfavorable.

The two campaigns raised approximately $2.5 million. Outside groups spent millions more, including the Los Angeles Police Protective League, which spent money against Raman.

Raman also highlighted the appetite for change behind the race, saying voters who supported Spencer Pratt reflected “the desire for change in Los Angeles.”