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Los Angeles Mayoral Forum Highlights Raman’s “Genocide” Comment and Its Poll Impact
By Drooid · · How we work
The Forum and Raman’s “Genocide” Remarks
At a Jewish Los Angeles mayoral forum held at the Skirball Cultural Center, City Councilmember Nithya Raman explained her use of the term “genocide” to describe the war in Gaza, citing experts who have applied the word. Mayor Karen Bass rejected the characterization, stating she does not view Israel’s actions as genocide and emphasizing the limits of a mayor’s role in foreign affairs. The exchange prompted audible gasps and mixed applause from the roughly 1,000-person audience.
Candidates’ Positions on Gaza and BDS
Raman condemned the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks “without reservation” and affirmed support for the right to protest, describing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement as a legitimate form of peaceful protest. Bass indicated she would oppose any city-council legislation that enacts BDS, noting such a measure would face a veto. Both candidates linked their positions to public-safety concerns for Los Angeles’ sizable Jewish and Israeli-American communities.
Official Statements & Responses
- Raman emphasized that “this city deserves to feel safe for every single resident.”
- Bass said she would convene the city’s working group on Jewish community safety and the interfaith council to implement California’s Safe Worship Zone Act, while stressing her focus on how foreign conflicts affect Los Angeles residents.
Data & Statistics
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Poll (Sept 15-20) – Raman lead | 11-point lead; one-third undecided | UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies |
| Poll (Sept 1-9) – Raman lead | 44 % to 39 % (5-point lead) | Hart Research Associates |
| Poll (Aug 28-Sept 3) – Bass lead | 38 % to 37 % (1-point lead); 26 % undecided | Impact Research |
| June 2 primary results | Bass 34 % ; Raman 29 % | Nypost |
| Gaza casualties (latest) | > 74 000 Palestinian deaths | Gaza Health Ministry |
| Israeli casualties (latest) | > 2 000 deaths | Israeli authorities & humanitarian agencies |
Why It Matters
The forum placed the Gaza conflict and the BDS movement at the forefront of a municipal race, forcing candidates to articulate how international issues intersect with local safety and civil-rights concerns. Raman’s “genocide” comment, delivered to a predominantly Jewish audience, generated visible reaction and may influence the sizable undecided voter bloc ahead of the Nov 3 general election. Divergent poll results before and after the event suggest the remarks could shift voter perceptions, though post-forum polling is still pending.
What’s Next
Post-forum polls are expected to reveal whether Raman’s stance on Gaza and BDS affects her standing among Los Angeles voters as the Nov 3 election approaches.
Verbatim Quotes
- “That is what guided me to using that term in describing what's happening in Gaza,” — Nithya Raman
- “I want to just say that I think Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions is a legitimate form of peaceful protest," Raman said to an audible reaction from the crowd, including groans and some applause.” — Nithya Raman