'DSA jihadi': LA mayoral candidate torched after defending 'genocide' comment during Jewish forum

By Fox News · Fox News

Nithya Raman, the far-left Los Angeles mayoral frontrunner, defended her appearance on controversial streamer Hasan Piker's program and stood by her use of the term "genocide" to describe Israel's actions in Gaza when pressed by a Jewish audience Tuesday night, raising alarm among some Jewish voters. Raman's appearance before hundreds of attendees at a Jewish community mayoral forum quickly turned into a series of pointed exchanges over Israel, antisemitism and her past comments on the war in Gaza. Pressed over her appearance on Piker's show , Raman said candidates need to "meet people where they're at" and rejected the suggestion that appearing on his platform signaled an endorsement of his views. She also reaffirmed her use of the word "genocide" to describe Israel's actions in Gaza, saying she relied on unnamed "experts" who have used the same terminology. Both Raman and current Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass attended a candidate forum hosted by several Jewish organizations Tuesday evening, during which they were questioned on a range of topics but largely about antisemitism, public safety, homelessness, Israel and other issues of particular concern to the Jewish community ahead of the Nov. 3 election. FAR-LEFT STREAMER HASAN PIKER CALLED OUT BY MS NOW HOSTS IN FIERY EXCHANGE OVER HIM BEING A DRAG FOR DEMOCRATS "Nithya Raman's remarks should alarm every Jewish voter in Los Angeles," StopAntisemitism founder and Executive Director Liora Rez told Fox News Digital, arguing that "'meeting people where they're at' is not a defense" for appearing on Piker's program. The Wednesday night forum's moderator noted that many in the audience viewed Raman's appearance on Piker's show as "deeply hurtful," citing the streamer's past remarks about Jews and praise for groups including Hamas , Hezbollah and al Qaeda. Asked why she chose to appear and whether she worried it could be perceived as an endorsement of his views, Raman said she has consistently spoken out against antise…