NY lawmaker lambastes failed commemoration of Oct 7 attack, as Dem leadership accused of 'antisemitism'

The New York assemblyman down an effort to formally commemorate the Oct. 7, 2023, panic onslaught successful Israel lambasted enactment for tanking what was expected to beryllium a "poignant" measure remembering the tragedy.

Assemblyman Lester Chang, R-Brooklyn – 1 of the fewer GOP members from New York City successful the 103-47 Democratic-majority enclosure – said helium had been moving connected a solution for New York authorities to officially retrieve the panic onslaught since hostage negotiations began a twelvemonth ago.

"I'm a Navy seasoned of 24 years and I did a circuit successful Afghanistan. So I recognize what warfare is each about," said Chang. "I’ve seen atrocities retired there."

Once American figures similar then-candidate Donald Trump began helping hostage negotiations, Chang said helium directed his unit to trade a connection – which helium said took much than a period of back-and-forth to marque definite it was "balanced" and did not person a partisan streak.

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An Israeli emblem and New York authorities Assemblyman Lester Chang (Reuters; Office of Assemb. Lester Chang)

"We submitted it successful January, arsenic a resolution, and it was rejected… due to the fact that [leadership] said it was ‘controversial,'" Chang said.

"We were astounded but not surprised. So we converted it to a bill," helium said, adding that, successful the end, a measure would beryllium amended due to the fact that a solution lone commemorates an lawsuit for that year, portion a measure would codify the remembrance for eternity.

With a fistful of Democratic co-sponsors, Chang and colleagues believed they had the close equilibrium to effort to enactment it up for a vote, but arsenic the New York Post reported, it was reportedly yet blocked by House Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx, and different apical Democrats.

Chang said the bill, destined for the smaller governmental operations committee, was redirected to the larger Ways and Means committee, and that 4 members were "switched out."

The apical Republican connected that panel, Assemblyman Ed Ra, told the New York Post that remembering Oct. 7 and/or combating antisemitism should ne'er beryllium "political."

Republican Assemblyman Ari Brown, who, similar Ra, represents Long Island, accused Albany Democrats of "veiled antisemitism," telling the Post the legislature is "rotten" with it.

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The assembly besides tanked a solution from Brown that complimented Chang’s bill.

Compounding that was, arsenic Chang described, nary GOP bills person been successfully enactment done the process astatine each this session.

"Having maine arsenic a Republican [sponsor] – that would [procedurally] choke them – not due to the fact that of me, the person, but arsenic a subordinate of that party."

Chang said helium would conscionable arsenic soon "give this measure to a Democrat" to sponsor if it meant commemorating the Oct. 7 attack.

He added that, arsenic a idiosyncratic of Chinese ancestry who represents mostly Asian and Italian Bensonhurst, helium has nary spiritual equine successful the race.

"That should marque it much poignant arsenic a non-Jewish idiosyncratic pushing this measure successful a mostly Christian and Buddhist district," helium said.

At slightest 7 Democrats did travel retired successful enactment of the Oct. 7 remembrance legislation, each of whom hail from New York City.

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Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt, R-Niagara Falls, echoed Chang’s concerns successful comments to Fox News Digital.

"Many New Yorkers had loved ones injured oregon worse successful the panic attacks successful Israel connected Oct. 7," Ortt said. "The slightest we tin bash is commemorate this tragic day."

"Instead of taking commonsense action, Albany Democrats would alternatively play politics, and person clip and again refused to support our Jewish brothers and sisters."

Fox News Digital reached retired to Heastie for remark and effect to the allegations but did not perceive back.