Andrew Cuomo’s 2000 Meeting with Yasser Arafat Resurfaces Amid His Mayoral Comeback Bid

Andrew Cuomo’s 2000 Meeting with Yasser Arafat Resurfaces Amid His Mayoral Comeback Bid

Edited by: TJVNews.com

As former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo makes a bid for mayor, controversial images from 2000 showing him in a meeting with then-Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) leader Yasser Arafat have resurfaced, reigniting debate over his past diplomatic engagements. According to a report that appeared on Wednesday in The New York Post, Cuomo, who was serving as the U.S. Secretary for Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton at the time, met with Arafat on June 23, 2000, during a three-day visit to Israel.

The New York Post reported that during this visit, Cuomo also met with then-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and announced the formation of a binational commission on housing and community development between Israel and the United States. However, the meeting with Arafat—who remains a deeply polarizing figure in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—has sparked renewed outrage, particularly among Jewish activists.

One of the most vocal critics of Cuomo’s sit-down with Arafat is Dov Hikind, a longtime Brooklyn state assemblyman and founder of Americans Against Anti-Semitism. The New York Post quoted Hikind as saying, “The only acceptable photo with Yasser Arafat is putting a knife in his back. Arafat was a pure, unadulterated terrorist. He was a real monster.” Hikind’s comments reflect a broader sentiment among some Jewish activists due to Arafat being directly responsible for orchestrating violence against Israeli civilians.

Arafat, who died in 2004, was justifiably accused of instigating the Second Intifada, a violent uprising against Israel that followed the collapse of peace talks at Camp David in 2000. While the PLO officially denied Arafat’s involvement in orchestrating terrorist attacks, The New York Post report referenced a 2010 statement by Hamas leader and co-founder Mahmoud al-Zahar, who said that Arafat personally instructed Hamas to carry out attacks against Israeli targets after negotiations with Israel broke down.

Further supporting these claims, The New York Post report cited an interview given by Arafat’s widow, Suha Arafat, in which she admitted that her husband had indeed authorized violent actions against Israel. These revelations have added fuel to the backlash against Cuomo’s past engagement with the  PLO terrorist leader.

Despite the renewed criticism, some Jewish leaders have come to Cuomo’s defense, arguing that he and his late father, former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, have long been steadfast allies of Israel and the Jewish community. The New York Post quoted Matthew Schweber, a lawyer and member of the Columbia University Jewish Alumni Association, who warned against focusing too narrowly on Cuomo’s past diplomatic interactions. “The greatest internal threat to America presently comes from the alliance between the Socialist Left and the Muslim Brotherhood that has infiltrated the Democratic Party under the banner of ‘Progressivism,’” Schweber said, implying that Cuomo’s engagement with Arafat should not be viewed in isolation but rather within the broader context of shifting political dynamics in the U.S.

“Brad Lander and Zohran Mamdani epitomize this threat,” Schweber stated, referring to two of Cuomo’s rivals in the race. “Conversely, Andrew Cuomo is the last bulwark against the menace of ‘Defund the Police’ and ‘Death to Israel.’”

Schweber further emphasized his unwavering support for Cuomo, telling The New York Post, “Needless to say, Andrew Cuomo is my first choice for NYC’s next mayor.” His comments reflect growing concerns among some Jewish leaders and voters about the increasing influence of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and other left-wing factions that have embraced the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.

The controversial photos of Cuomo’s meeting with Arafat were first made public in 2002 after a legal request was filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Noted in The New York Post report was that the images were published during Cuomo’s initial, unsuccessful run for governor, but their resurfacing now—decades later—adds another layer of scrutiny as he attempts to re-enter the political arena.

Cuomo’s campaign has actively highlighted his track record on Israel, asserting that he has consistently stood against anti-Zionist movements and anti-Semitism throughout his career. The New York Post report noted that as governor, Cuomo took concrete action against the BDS movement, signing an executive order barring state entities from doing business with companies that support boycotting Israel. The policy, which remains in place, has been widely praised by pro-Israel advocates as a crucial measure to counteract economic and diplomatic pressure on the Jewish state.

Cuomo has also made multiple visits to Israel, highlighting his commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship. His campaign argued that his experience in both domestic and international affairs makes him uniquely qualified to lead New York City, particularly in an era of rising anti-Semitism and growing political polarization.

“There has been no greater ally and supporter of the Jewish people and Israel than Andrew Cuomo,” Cuomo’s spokesman, Richard Azzopardi, told The New York Post. “As The New York Post knows, because they covered this same story 25 years ago when it occurred.”

Azzopardi further explained that Cuomo’s meeting with Arafat was part of broader diplomatic efforts under then-President Bill Clinton, who was attempting to broker peace between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Arafat’s Palestinian Authority. “In 2000, the Clinton administration was working to negotiate peace between Israel and Gaza and Prime Minister Barak and PLA Leader Arafat respectively, and Secretary Cuomo’s meetings in the region were in relation to those efforts,” Azzopardi stated, according to The New York Post. “Unfortunately, as history has shown, those peace talks were ultimately not successful.”

Beyond defending Cuomo’s past diplomatic engagements, his campaign has sought to contrast his record with that of his Democratic rivals, many of whom are aligned with progressive movements that have been critical of Israel. According to the report in The New York Post, Azzopardi made it clear that Cuomo is the only candidate in the race willing to aggressively confront rising anti-Semitism, which he blames in part on elements within the Democratic Party.

“Rising anti-Israel sentiment and anti-Semitism writ large are among the many unchecked crises gripping New York City,” Azzopardi said. The New York Post reported that Cuomo’s team has singled out members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), claiming they have contributed to an atmosphere of growing hostility toward Jewish communities in New York.

“The members of the DSA and supporters of members of the DSA, which includes many elected officials in city government, fuel the spreading anti-Semitism,” Azzopardi told The New York Post. He went on to frame Cuomo as the only candidate with both the experience and the will to take on these challenges. “Governor Cuomo is the only person in this race with the experience and the proven track record to confront it.”

Cuomo’s campaign has framed the 2025 mayoral race as a fight for the future of New York City’s Democratic Party, particularly when it comes to issues of law enforcement and Israel policy. While his progressive opponents have backed leftist causes such as the “Defund the Police” movement and increased scrutiny of U.S. aid to Israel, Cuomo has positioned himself as a centrist Democrat who will take a firm stand against both crime and anti-Semitism.

The New York Post reported that the former governor’s strategy appears to be aimed at appealing to Jewish voters and moderates who are increasingly disillusioned with the city’s progressive leadership. As the race heats up, Cuomo’s ability to differentiate himself from his more left-leaning opponents could prove decisive. With his record on Israel under scrutiny and progressive candidates gaining momentum, the coming months will likely determine whether his past experience and hardline stance on anti-Semitism will be enough to propel him back into political power.