Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman defended her use of the term “genocide” to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza during a mayoral forum Tuesday night at the Skirball Cultural Center, according to the New York Post. The Post reported that parts of the audience reacted uneasily.
The event was the 2026 Jewish Los Angeles Mayoral Forum and drew roughly 1,000 people, the Post reported. Raman said the term carried significant historical weight and said she had used it after seeing reports and images she found disturbing. Raman and Mayor Karen Bass, described by The New York Times as former allies, are seeking support from undecided voters with five weeks remaining before the election.