NEW YORK – Former New York Governor andrew Cuomo publicly apologized to Jewish New Yorkers on October 26, 2023, acknowledging that his governance’s COVID-19 lockdown rules disproportionately impacted their communities and “caused pain.” The apology, delivered at a private event in New York City and afterward reported by multiple news outlets, marks a meaningful moment of accountability for policies widely criticized during the pandemic.
The restrictions, implemented in late 2020 and early 2021, specifically targeted areas with high rates of COVID-19 transmission, often coinciding with neighborhoods with large Orthodox Jewish populations. These measures included limitations on gathering sizes for religious services and school closures, sparking accusations of discrimination and fueling tensions between the Cuomo administration and community leaders. While officials at the time defended the rules as necessary to protect public health, the former governor stated he should have done more to address the concerns and sensitivities of the affected communities.
Cuomo stated, “I should have done better. Those decisions caused pain, and I apologize for that.” He acknowledged the frustration and anger felt by many Jewish New Yorkers, adding that he now understands the impact of the policies was not equitably distributed. The apology comes as Cuomo seeks to rehabilitate his public image following his resignation in August 2021 amid allegations of sexual harassment.The former governor’s acknowledgement of the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on the Jewish community may be a step toward reconciliation, though community leaders have indicated that further dialog and action are needed to address the lasting effects of the pandemic policies.