NYAG Letitia James Circulates Gaza Petition Amid Criticism Over Silence on Hamas Terrorism

By: Ariella Haviv

New York State Attorney General Letitia James drew sharp scrutiny over the weekend after quietly circulating a petition to fellow Democratic officials that urged action to address what it called a “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza, while initially omitting any condemnation of Hamas for its role in the conflict. The New York Post obtained an early draft of the letter, which sparked a backlash for its failure to acknowledge the October 7 terrorist massacre carried out by the Islamist group.

According to the information provided in The New York Post that appeared on Saturday, the draft letter opened with a stark warning about the humanitarian situation in Gaza: “We are united in this moment by a truth we can no longer ignore: a famine is unfolding in Gaza before the eyes of the world.” The statement claimed to represent a “coalition of multiracial, multiethnic, and multifaith elected officials,” but conspicuously avoided attributing the crisis to Hamas or referencing the hostages still held in captivity.

The petition continued, “There is no denying it—we are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe… We urge our fellow Americans to speak out, to support relief efforts, and to demand that our leaders use every tool of diplomacy to end this crisis. History will remember what we did, or failed to do, in this moment.”

When first contacted by The New York Post on Saturday, James’ office declined to comment on the draft version. However, just hours later, her team issued a revised public release that included an explicit condemnation of Hamas. “We are united in this moment by both condemning the October 7th massacre perpetrated by Hamas and an unavoidable truth: a famine is unfolding in Gaza before the eyes of the world,” the updated version read.

A spokesperson for James insisted to The Post that the reference to Hamas had been added “far prior” to the outlet’s inquiry, though this claim has not been independently verified.

Despite the controversy, the letter garnered support from more than 60 Democratic officials at the federal, state, and city levels. Signatories included Rep. Jerold Nadler, a veteran member of Congress and influential figure within the Democratic establishment, and New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. Their endorsement added weight to the petition but did not quell criticism from those who found the original draft deeply problematic.

Among the most vocal critics was Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, a Brooklyn Democrat known for her strong pro-Israel stance. Through a spokesperson, Vernikov condemned the original letter, saying, “New York is being run by a cabal of leftist Hamas apologists who would rather shield terrorists than speak the truth.” The spokesperson further stated, “Any acknowledgment of a humanitarian crisis without addressing its cause — a terrorist regime that uses civilians as human shields — is dishonest. Ignoring that reality isn’t compassion; it’s complicity.”

Notably absent from the list of signatories was State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a socialist lawmaker from Queens whom James has endorsed in the upcoming New York City mayoral election. Mamdani, who has faced repeated criticism for his anti-Israel rhetoric, is currently vacationing in Uganda and was unavailable for comment. As previously reported by The New York Post, Mamdani hosted a controversial and lavish three-day wedding celebration at his family’s compound in Kampala, even as regional tensions flared in the Middle East and New York City faced mounting scrutiny over his candidacy.

State Assemblyman Charles Fall, who represents parts of Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Lower Manhattan, defended his decision to sign the petition. Speaking to The New York Post, Fall described the Gaza situation as a “humanitarian issue,” emphasizing, “People are hurting, starving. Think about the kids.” Fall, a father of two, added, “The letter is balanced. It talks about the hostages.”

Despite Fall’s assurances, the initial omission of Hamas from the petition has fueled broader concerns about the ideological divide within the Democratic Party regarding the Israel-Hamas war. While some members push for immediate humanitarian action in Gaza, others insist that no discussion of the crisis is complete without squarely attributing blame to Hamas for its role in provoking the conflict and perpetuating civilian suffering.

The episode also reflects broader tensions between progressive and moderate Democrats in New York. As The New York Post has reported, Attorney General James has found herself navigating increasingly complicated political terrain, balancing her endorsements of candidates like Mamdani with efforts to project a unifying message on issues like international conflict and human rights.

The backlash to the petition highlights a key challenge facing Democratic officials: how to respond to mounting humanitarian concerns in Gaza while remaining consistent in their condemnation of terrorism and their support for Israel’s right to defend itself. James’ decision to revise the petition and publicly include a condemnation of Hamas appears to be an effort to recalibrate that balance. Whether it will succeed in bridging the widening ideological rift within her party remains to be seen.

In the meantime, as reported by The New York Post, the original draft of the petition — and its subsequent revision — continue to raise questions about the motivations, priorities, and political calculus of one of the state’s most prominent elected officials.