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[POLITICS] · United States · 14 sources

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Part of situation: LA mayoral race: Bass and Raman tied in final week (33 clusters)

Nithya Raman and Karen Bass clash over Gaza at LA mayoral forum

Los Angeles mayoral race Nithya Raman Karen Bass Gaza genocide debate Jewish Federation forum

During a mayoral candidate forum co-hosted by the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, candidates Nithya Raman and Karen Bass faced intense questioning regarding the war in Gaza and antisemitism.

Councilmember Nithya Raman defended her previous use of the term “genocide” to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza, stating she felt compelled to speak out due to images of hospital targeting and child deaths. In contrast, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass stated she does not believe the war constitutes a genocide, noting her primary focus remains on how international conflicts impact the city of Los Angeles.

The forum occurred amid shifting political momentum. A recent poll from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and the Los Angeles Times shows Raman leading Bass 39% to 28%, with a significant portion of voters remaining undecided. Prediction markets also indicate a lead for Raman heading into the November 3 runoff.

Local Jewish community leaders expressed concern over the rhetoric, with Rabbi Noah Farkas describing Raman’s use of the term as “very hurtful.” The debate comes as Los Angeles grapples with rising antisemitism, with the LAPD reporting an increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes earlier this year.

Entities

Democratic Socialists of America · Jewish Federation Los Angeles · Karen Bass · LAPD · Los Angeles · Nithya Raman · Skirball Cultural Center

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Prediction markets assigned Raman a 58% chance of winning the mayoral race. vinnews.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] LAPD recorded 46 anti-Jewish hate crimes between January 1 and May 31, 2026.
  • [● 2 SOURCES] A poll showed Nithya Raman leading Karen Bass 39% to 28%. vinnews.com · abc7.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Rabbi Noah Farkas called Raman’s use of the term genocide ‘very hurtful’ to the Jewish community. www.latimes.com
  • [● 3 SOURCES] Karen Bass stated she does not believe the war in Gaza is a genocide. jewishpostandnews.ca · abc7.com · laist.com
  • [● 4 SOURCES] Nithya Raman described Israel’s actions in Gaza as a genocide. www.latimes.com · jewishpostandnews.ca · laist.com

Sources

The Doctor is back in the house: Jose Moreno addresses the Ashleigh desmadre. [www.orangejuiceblog.com]
California mayor accused of calling staffer a ‘dirty Mexican’ lashes out as council turns on her [offthepress.com]
Los Angeles mayoral candidates debate Israel, local issues [www.gpkmedia.com]
At L. A. Jewish community forum, Nithya Raman encounters tough questions on Israel — and a hostile audience [jewishpostandnews.ca]
Mayoral candidates' views on Gaza likely to come up at Jewish Federation forum [www.latimes.com]
Nithya Raman Takes Double-Digit Lead Over Karen Bass In L. A. Mayor Race Prediction Markets [vinnews.com]
LA to Require Body Cams to Record Immigration Enforcement [mynewsla.com]
Candidatas a la alcaldía de Los Ángeles exponen propuestas a comunidad judía - La Opinión [laopinion.com]
Los Angeles mayoral candidates debate Israel, local issues [www.postguam.com]
Rivals for California governor to meet in only scheduled debate as mail ballots go to voters [www.winnipegfreepress.com]
Bass and Raman differ over Gaza at Jewish Federation forum [laist.com]
Jewish voters press Bass and Raman on Gaza, antisemitism at LA mayoral forum [abc7.com]
Rivals for LA mayor set to meet in forum as city struggles with homelessness, Hollywood job losses [www.newsday.com]
Hate is on the ballot this November — can Los Angeles pass the test? [nypost.com]