New York City Councilwoman-elect Laurie Cumbo has apologized for a previous statement about the “knockout” attacks on Jews in Brooklyn blaming “the accomplishments of the Jewish community” for “feelings of resentment” among the African American community. She also said that black residents in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn fear being “pushed out by their Jewish landlords.”
“I sincerely apologize to all of my constituents for any pain that I have caused by what I wrote… I have taken the last week to reflect… and I understand now that my words did not convey what was in my heart, which is a profound desire to bring our diverse communities closer together,” Cumbo said in her newly released statement.
ADL New York Regional Director Evan R. Bernstein, said, “We welcome Ms. Cumbo’s apology and her recognition that her remarks about the Jewish community evoked classic anti-Semitic stereotypes and as such were deeply offensive. We are encouraged by her desire to build bridges in the community and to work to promote positive relations between of all backgrounds in her council district.”
“The Jewish Future Alliance commends Laurie Cumbo for doing the right thing and apologizing. We look forward to working together in the future as ‘one community,’” said Yaacov Behrman, executive director of the Jewish Future Alliance.
