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Pearl River, NY – October 27, 2025… The Lawler for Congress campaign slammed Democrat Effie Phillips-Staley after she authored an outrageous Lohud op-ed accusing Israel of “genocide” — parroting the same anti-Israel talking points pushed by the far-left fringe and Hamas apologists. The campaign called on all Democrats running in New York’s 17th Congressional District to tell voters where they stand.

“This is disgraceful,” said Chris Russell, spokesman for Lawler for Congress. “To accuse Israel, one of the United States’ closest allies, which is defending itself from terrorists who butchered innocent men, women, and children, of committing ‘genocide’ is vile and dangerous. She owes every Jewish family in the Hudson Valley an apology. And every Democrat running in NY-17 needs to tell voters if they agree with her.”

The Lawler campaign is demanding that the press hold each Democrat accountable—Beth Davidson, Cait Conley, Mike Sacks, John Sullivan, John Cappello, Jessica Reinmann, and Peter Chatzky—and force them to answer this question on the record.

“Peter Chatzky already said it — he thinks Israel’s committing genocide and wants an arms embargo,” Russell added. “Now the rest need to answer the same questions — clearly and publicly:

1. Do you agree with Effie Phillips-Staley and Peter Chatzky that Israel committed genocide?
2. Should Hamas disarm, yes or no?
3. Are you refusing campaign money from AIPAC, or are you just too scared to say it?

Beth Davidson and Cait Conley already proved they’re scared of their radical left base, refusing to comment to Politico when Chatzky pledged to refuse AIPAC money. The media needs to continue doing their job and keep asking these questions,” continued Russell. “Do they support Israel’s right to defend itself, or do they stand with the radicals chanting in the streets for Hamas?”

“Congressman Lawler has been unequivocal: Hamas is a terrorist organization that must be destroyed, and Israel has every right to defend itself,” Russell concluded. “The Democrats running against him are twisting themselves in knots to appease their far left base for votes — and they need to come clean and pick a side. The people of New York’s 17th District deserve to know exactly who they’re voting for.”
 

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