Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman was scrutinized for her appearance with Hasan Piker, a popular streamer and political commentator, and was asked to address her use of the word “genocide” regarding the Israel-Hamas war on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
The questions came amid a mayoral forum held in Los Angeles that focused on what matters to Jewish Angelenos, the Jewish Federation Los Angeles said. Mayor Karen Bass also participated in the forum in back-to-back conversations that also touched on the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics and homeless encampments.
It comes just days before ballots go out in Los Angeles and after a recent poll found Raman held a double-digit lead over the incumbent mayor ahead of the November election.
Raman addresses Hasan Piker appearance, asked to define genocide
Laughter arose at
the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, the Jewish cultural venue where the forum was held, as Raman responded to questions about an appearance she made with Piker ahead of the primary election in June.
Piker, a prominent leftist political commentator, has been accused of making antisemitic comments and supporting antisemitic ideas by the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League. In an interview with USA TODAY, Piker claimed he had nothing against the Jewish people as a whole and that he should be allowed to criticize the Israeli government and military without being accused of antisemitism.
“I felt like I responded to the questions that he asked me with honesty about where my platform and my views were,” Raman said as she addressed why she didn’t “speak up.”
Raman said there were questions she pushed back against, pointing to a moment where she confirmed to Piker her belief that Israel has a right to exist. The city councilmember said she’s spoken up against antisemitism and against rhetoric she’s found “deeply hateful to the Jewish community.”
For her, it’s “incumbent” that someone running for office to go out and speak to people on different platforms. She wished former Vice President Kamala Harris had appeared on the Joe Rogan podcast, for example.
“I do think it’s important for us to go out there and speak to people and communicate to voters who may not see you in other places,” Raman said, noting that many young viewers don't watch television news and many people don't get mailers at home.
Raman said she “vehemently disagrees with some of ” Piker’s statements in an interview with ABC7 LA earlier this year.
The questioning continued regarding her appearance with Piker, with moderator Alex Cohen pointing to a moment where Raman agreed that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. She was asked to define the term and what she’d like to say to Jewish Angelenos present Tuesday.
“I’m not an expert on these issues, and so I have looked to experts on these issues — international experts, Israeli experts — who have used that language, and that is what guided me in using that term in describing what’s happening in Gaza.”
Raman said she felt compelled to speak out about what she saw. However, she pointed out that she condemned the attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
“I condemned them without reservation, and I will speak up when there are issues that require condemnation from our community, from our leadership here,” she said.
But Raman pointed out that she's running for mayor of Los Angeles.
“My goal is to make sure Angelenos are safe, and there is a great diversity of opinions about foreign policy issues in this room, and even more diversity across the entire city,” Raman said.
Bass gets asked about the word genocide. Her response
Does Bass believe the word genocide is an appropriate term to use in describing the war in Gaza? It’s what the mayor was asked early in her conversation.
“When I think of foreign affairs, especially conflicts, my focus is on how they impact the city of LA. And no, I don’t,” Bass said.
Earlier, the mayor described her “proactive” response to safety issues concerning the Jewish community. That includes calling on LAPD to patrol places of worship during holidays when protests may occur and compromise safety.
“Every time there has been active antisemitism, every time there has been a compromise on safety in the Jewish community, I have been there,” Bass said.
Raman questioned about DSA
Raman’s ties to the Democratic Socialists of America arose Tuesday. DSA has long called for Palestinians to be free and has described Israel as committing genocide. Raman earned the endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America Los Angeles chapter in September — which she is a member of.
She called the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement that promotes such actions against Israel “a legitimate form of peaceful protest,” triggering a quick and sharp sound of discontent from the crowd. Raman continued on, saying she supports people’s right to protest and fights for that right regardless of whether she agrees with protesters.
“This issue is not part of my policy platform,” Raman said.
Bass said she opposes efforts to divest city funds from companies doing business in, or that have ties with, Israel when asked about her position on the movement.
Earlier in the forum, Raman said she doesn’t want progressive politics to be conflated with antisemitism. The city councilmember also described instances when she and DSA haven’t been aligned.
“I’ve proven myself to be an independent voice during my time on the council,” Raman said, adding that she’s taken heat from people for speaking out on issues she doesn’t agree with, or on issues she’s changed her mind about.
“I’ve always done that with an eye towards trying to ensure that my policies are those that are best for Angelenos,” the city councilmember said.
USA TODAY reporter Will Carless contributed to this report.
Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at pbarraza@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nithya Raman talks Gaza, defends her Hasan Piker appearance in LA forum
