Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has sought to clarify remarks made during his Yom Kippur apology earlier this month, saying his message to the Orthodox Jewish community was misunderstood. In an exclusive interview with Kol Haolam, Cuomo explained that his October 1, 2025, apology was limited to poor communication during the COVID-19 pandemic—not a disavowal of the public health restrictions his administration enforced.

“I wasn’t apologizing for saving lives,” Cuomo said, defending the controversial red-zone closures that restricted gatherings in high-infection areas, including Brooklyn’s Hasidic neighborhoods. “What I regret is that my message wasn’t communicated with enough sensitivity to the community.”

During the height of the pandemic, Cuomo’s executive orders imposed strict limits on religious gatherings in select ZIP codes, drawing outrage from Orthodox leaders who viewed the restrictions as discriminatory. The dispute led to a 2021 lawsuit by Agudath Israel of America, which was eventually settled after the U.S. Supreme Court signaled that the restrictions unfairly targeted houses of worship.

In the interview, Cuomo maintained that the policies were necessary to prevent mass casualties, particularly in densely populated areas hit hardest by the virus. He reiterated that his apology focused solely on tone and communication—not on the life-saving intent behind the measures.

“I will never apologize for protecting people from dying,” Cuomo stated. “But I do recognize we could have done a better job listening and explaining.”

Cuomo’s clarification comes as he continues outreach efforts to New York’s Orthodox community ahead of a potential 2025 mayoral bid. The former governor appears intent on rebuilding relationships that were strained during the pandemic while reaffirming his broader message of public safety, law, and mutual respect.