Attacks Israel: "Madam of Los Angeles" on the way to victory

Nithya Raman, a progressive candidate for mayor of Los Angeles, leads incumbent Mayor Karen Bass with 51.1% of the vote. Raman has accused Israel of genocide and apartheid, but also recognized its right to exist and pledged to protect Jews.

Nithya Raman, a 45-year-old Los Angeles city council member from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, is close to victory in the mayoral election. She leads incumbent Mayor Karen Bass with 51.1% of the vote to 49%, a gap of about 16,500 votes, with roughly 37% of ballots still uncounted. Raman, born in India and educated at Harvard and MIT, specialized in urban planning and homelessness assistance. Her positions on Israel have sparked controversy: in a May interview she accused Israel of genocide and apartheid, but also recognized its right to exist. Rabbi Noah Parks of the Jewish Federation criticized her remarks, and Raman pledged to protect Jewish residents and fight antisemitism. She distanced herself from support by a pro-Israel organization and expressed support for BDS as nonviolent protest, but will not make it part of her campaign platform. On local issues, she focuses on the housing crisis and homelessness.