UES Challenger Under Fire For Calling Opponent 'Hamas Coddler'

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A Republican challenger running against Council Member Keith Powers drew quick condemnation for sending out a political mailer claiming that Powers had "coddled" Hamas supporters.

A letter signed by over 250 east siders, including nearly every east side political leader, called on the candidate, Republican Brian Robinson, to "retract his false claim and issue an apology."

"Keith Powers has always been a true ally to the Jewish community and to assert otherwise during this crisis is completely inappropriate," reads the letter.

Last night, we received reports of a mailer sent by a Republican lying about my steadfast support for the Jewish community & Israel.

And pathetically trying to imply that I support Hamas. Yes, Hamas.

Today, 250+ East Siders who know my record responded to these desperate lies: pic.twitter.com/LdSx140H6C
— Keith Powers (@KeithPowersNYC) November 2, 2023

The first two signatories of the letter include two prominent rabbis, Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz of the Orthodox Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun on the Upper East Side, and Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, the executive vice president of The New York Board of Rabbis and Chaplin for the FDNY.

Robinson reportedly sent out the mailer to District 4 residents earlier this week, which on one side display recent posts on the website X, formerly known as Twitter, made by Robinson, displaying what he said was evidence of how he "unequivocally supports Israel."

The other side repeats claims, since debunked, that the upstart political group, the Democratic Socialists of America, hosted a "terrorist support rally" and that he received an endorsement from the union representing faculty and staff at CUNY.

"Why do we pay Keith Powers over $150,000 to coddle Hamas supporters in NYC?" the mailer stated, further adding that "Jewish voters and all New Yorkers should be sickened by Powers."

Nearly every political leader on the east side, including neighboring Council Member Julie Menin, Assembly Member Alex Bores, current and former Upper East Side District Leaders Ben Akselrod, Kim Moscaritolo and Ben Wetzler, and Community Board 8 chair Russell Squire.

Manhattan Borough President said in a post that "this is nothing but gutter politics by his Republican opponent. Must be retracted immediately."

Community Board 8 member Billy Freeland wrote that he was "proud" to sign the letter supporting Powers.

"Sad that Keith’s desperate, disgraceful opponent made it necessary," he wrote.

Even those from outside the district took efforts to criticize Robinson's claims — including Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres, who has been one of the loudest voices critical of what he views as left-wing antisemitism in New York City.

He called Robinson's claims "patently false."

Freshman Manhattan rep Daniel Goldman called Robinson "reprehensible" for "weaponizing this crisis as a opportunity to lie about his political opponent and further divide our community."

In response, Robinson said that Powers had twisted his words and called on him to renounce the CUNY union's endorsement.

"I have a name," Robinson posted in response to the letter, which does not explicitly call out Robinson. "I'm the guy you refuse to debate."