Bass, the current mayor, told the forum she doesn't believe Israel's actions in Gaza constitute genocide. Raman, a Los Angeles city councilmember challenging Bass, took the opposite stance. She said her support for using the term rests on the views of international experts.
Raman also faced a round of questions about a sit-down interview she did with leftist Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, a vocal critic of Israel.
The split matters for a city with deep ties on both sides of the debate. Jewish community members weighing their vote now have a direct contrast between a sitting mayor who rejects the genocide label and a councilmember willing to embrace it, citing outside experts rather than her own independent assessment.
Two candidates, one debate stage, and a one-word disagreement that could shape how Los Angeles voters sort themselves in the mayoral race.