Dem Centrists Back ICE and Israel Over Progressive Leaders

Democratic centrists sided with establishment power over progressive figures this week, marching alongside Israeli far-right officials at New York's Israel Day Parade and deploying state police to protect ICE from protesters in New Jersey. New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Senator Chuck Schumer marched with unindicted Israeli war criminal Bezalel Smotrich at the parade, while Mayor Zohran Mamdani skipped it, citing opposition to the Israeli government. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch marched as his administration's representative. In Newark, clashes erupted at Delaney Hall, a GEO Group-run ICE detention center, where detainees are on hunger strike over conditions. Senator Andy Kim was pepper-sprayed during an oversight visit. Governor Mikie Sherrill sent New Jersey State Police to secure the perimeter, blaming out-of-state agitators. Progressive congressional candidate Dr. Adam Hamawy, endorsed by Bernie Sanders and AOC, faces scrutiny over past ties to Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman.