New York politicians are furious after the liberal Working Families Party took the unusual step of endorsing an anti-Israel bill at its convention earlier this week.
Pro-Israel Democrats were stunned by the party’s decision to push through the “Not On Our Dime Act,” which would require New York-based nonprofits to stop supporting the Israeli military and the country’s settlement activities.
“This party is becoming more of a democratic socialist party,” Rep. David Weprin (D-Queens) told The Post in an interview Friday.
Weprin said he has supported WFP policies in the past but did not seek its endorsement this year because he did not agree with the party’s shift to a “hard-left” position.
“At this point I do not seek or want the support of the Working Families Party because of some of their far-left positions and clearly anti-Israel positions, and this would certainly be one of them,” he said.
Rep. Chuck Lavin (D-Nassau), chairman of the New York chapter of the National Jewish Congressional Council, agreed.
“I refuse to seek the WFP’s policy,” said Rabin, who has sought the party’s support in the past.
” [Not On Our Dime] “This bill remains completely dead,” Lavigne said in a statement.
State Sen. Brad Hoylman Sigal (D-Manhattan), a WFP voting candidate, said he strongly opposes the proposed anti-Israel bill.
“I am unequivocally opposed to this bill and have communicated this to the WFP leadership,” he said.
Freshman state Assemblyman Sam Berger (D-Queens), who ran as a moderate and never asked for the WFP to be on the ballot, also sharply criticized the decision.
“I don’t know why WFP is so focused on foreign affairs and fringe legislation rather than helping its own district,” he said, “but if they think targeting Jewish nonprofits that feed the poor and clothe the homeless is a winning strategy, I can’t see why.”
The vote at last weekend’s party convention was an “oral vote” and no actual tallies were conducted.
WFP officials will decide later this year whether to make support for the “Not On Our Dime Act” part of the party’s official position.
The bill has been sponsored by Rep. Zohran Mamdani (D-Queens), a member of the Democratic Socialists of America who is rumored to be considering joining a growing number of candidates running for mayor next year.
“This Saturday, the New York Working Families Party held its state convention, bringing together hundreds of our members, allies and stakeholders to make important, time-sensitive decisions in light of the national political cycle,” New York Working Families Party co-chairs Jasmine Gripper and Ana Maria Archila said in a statement.
“The Working Families Party is committed to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the safe return of all hostages, and the pursuit of lasting peace in the region,” they continued.
Spokespeople for both the state Assembly and state Senate said leaders have no intention of bringing the bill to a vote.
