A recent report is claiming that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, made a comment about “f—ing tree houses” during a 2006 Sukkot event when he was running for state attorney general.
Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) reported that in an April 13 New York Magazine story, Cuomo “vented to his team” about “these people and their f—ing tree houses” during the Sukkot event. A spokesperson for Cuomo denied that the governor ever made that remark, pointing out that Cuomo’s brothers-in-law are Jewish and that “he has the highest respect for Jewish traditions.”
The reported comment sparked outrage on Twitter. “How this man is still in office is beyond our comprehension,” the Stop Antisemitism.org watchdog tweeted.
"((( These people ))) and their fucking tree houses." – Andrew Cuomo.
How this man is still in office is beyond our comprehension. https://t.co/2IK1btCFCC
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) April 13, 2021
Writer Melissa Braunstein also tweeted, “That jerk and his f&$?ing attacking observant Jews. Again.” She added in a subsequent tweet, “How many similar comments has Cuomo made over the years, but nobody thought it was newsworthy?”
That jerk and his f&$?ing attacking observant Jews. Again. https://t.co/uOmeN7x9tW
— Melissa Braunstein (@slowhoneybee) April 13, 2021
How many similar comments has Cuomo made over the years, but nobody thought it was newsworthy?
— Melissa Braunstein (@slowhoneybee) April 13, 2021
JTA Opinions Editor Laura E. Adkins tweeted, “Stripped of context, the quote is something mildly amusing that many of us Jews might say. And it does sound like a silly / mildly annoying campaign event to ‘have’ to attend! BUT just because many of your staffers are casual and comfortable with their Judaism does not mean you can ‘get away’ with being so if you’re not a Jew. AND Marrying, employing or befriending a member of a minority does not prove you’re an ally / entitle you to in-group privileges!”
Thought #2: Stripped of context, the quote is something mildly amusing that many of us Jews might say. And it does sound like a silly / mildly annoying campaign event to "have" to attend!
BUT
— Laura E. Adkins (@Laura_E_Adkins) April 13, 2021
Just because many of your staffers are casual and comfortable with their Judaism does not mean you can "get away" with being so if you're not a Jew.
AND
Marrying, employing or befriending a member of a minority does not prove you're an ally / entitle you to in-group privileges!
— Laura E. Adkins (@Laura_E_Adkins) April 13, 2021
JTA Washington Bureau Chief Ron Kampeas quipped, “Succot are not ‘f***ing tree-houses,’ they are f***ing huts.”
Dear @NYGovCuomo, Succot are not "f***ing tree-houses," they are f***ing huts. https://t.co/rci5bPgKxm
— Ron Kampeas (@kampeas) April 13, 2021
Cuomo has been criticized for singling out the Orthodox Jewish community for the spread of COVID-19 and subjecting primarily Orthodox neighborhoods to more restrictive COVID-19 measures.
