Binghamton council approves mayor’s Human Rights Commission pick Richard Lewis after debate about his views on Israel

The Binghamton City Council voted 5-2 on May 7 to confirm Mayor's nominee Richard Lewis to the city's Human Rights Commission after extended remarks from a council member who recounted Lewis's statements on the Israel-Gaza war.

The vote came after a council member read passages from news coverage and described a 45-minute conversation with Lewis in which, according to that council member, Lewis said he did not agree with the United Nations human-rights body's finding that Israel's methods are consistent with genocide and said he believed Israel was "acting fully within their right to defend themselves." The council member also reported that Lewis told them, "I don't want to see children getting killed," when pressed on civilian harm, and that Lewis said he would not support a resolution until Israel could be "completely assured of its security and sovereignty." The council member said Lewis represents landlords in eviction court and highlighted his leadership roles in the New York State Bar Association and local Jewish organizations.

City Council President Dunton moved to accept the mayor's nomination; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote of 5 in favor, 2 opposed.

Advocates for the appointment emphasized Lewis's legal background. In remarks read to the council, Lewis's record at the Hinman, Howard & Cattell law firm and his service as president of the New York State Bar Association were cited as relevant experience. The council member who described the conversation with Lewis said the nominee has represented community institutions, including Beth David Synagogue, Temple Israel and the Jewish Community Center, and that Lewis had been honored recently by local Jewish groups.

Council members who opposed the confirmation raised concerns about whether Lewis's stated views on the Israel-Gaza war would affect his ability to weigh in on human-rights matters impartially. The opposing votes were recorded as "no" by two council members during the roll call; the transcript does not show those members offering further public explanation during the vote.

No additional formal conditions or limitations on Lewis's appointment were recorded in the meeting minutes. The nomination was presented as the mayor's appointment, which by local procedure is subject to council confirmation.

The council's action completes the procedural step of confirming the mayoral nominee; the Human Rights Commission will now include Lewis among its members pending any administrative onboarding processes.