Blakeman acknowledges comment comparing Lander to concentration camp guard was excessive

Bruce Blakeman, the Republican gubernatorial nominee in New York, stated that his comparison of Democratic congressional candidate Brad Lander to a concentration camp guard was excessive. In a Newsmax interview, Blakeman referred to Lander as a 'disgrace' and accused him of being 'anti-American' and 'antisemitic,' despite Lander being Jewish. Following backlash, Blakeman clarified that while he believed his sentiment was valid, the term 'camp guard' was too strong, suggesting 'collaborator' instead. Lander, who recently secured the Democratic nomination for New York’s 10th Congressional District, has been vocal about his Jewish faith and political stance. His primary victory has garnered significant media attention. Blakeman's comments have faced criticism, including from Rep. Jerry Nadler, who described them as a 'grotesque desecration' of Holocaust memory. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a focal point in the congressional primary, with Lander identifying as a 'liberal Zionist' and Goldman as 'unabashedly pro-Israel.' Lander has committed to advocating for Palestinian human rights while opposing antisemitism.