Republican candidate for governor Bruce Blakeman made an explosive attack against Brad Lander, saying the Democratic congressional candidate, who is Jewish, would be a “guard in a concentration camp” because of his views on Israel.

The remark made on TV on Wednesday night led Lander — and many others — to call for an apology. But none seems to be forthcoming from Blakeman, who is also Jewish.

“He’s anti-American, he’s antisemitic, even though he’s Jewish, this guy would be a camp guard in a concentration camp if he could. He’s a disaster, he’s terrible,” Blakeman said during an interview on Newsmax Wednesday night.

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Republican candidate for governor Bruce Blakeman made an explosive attack against Brad Lander, saying the Democratic congressional candidate, who is Jewish, would be a “guard in a concentration camp” because of his views on Israel.

The remark made on TV on Wednesday night led Lander — and many others — to call for an apology. But none seems to be forthcoming from Blakeman, who is also Jewish

On Thursday, the Republican doubled down in a statement to NY1, which said, in part: “Maybe camp guard was too strong, but certainly a collaborator, as Brad Lander turned his back on the Jewish community”

Where politicians stand on Israel and the United States’ involvement after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas has sparked a deep divide among voters — specifically, Jewish New Yorkers.

The topic often dominated the politics of the recent primary.

“Most of us have a deep connection to Israel, but probably disagree with its government and its actions on many levels,” Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said.

“That’s all being flattened in the conversation when it’s either ‘you’re with Israel or you’re against Israel, you’re either with the Jewish community or you’re against the Jewish community’ and that’s the most dangerous part,” she added.

Blakeman disagrees with Lander’s criticism of Israel.

His comments allude to a derogatory term used to describe concentration camp inmates, used by the Nazis to supervise other prisoners.

On Thursday, the Republican doubled down in a statement to NY1, which said, in part: “Maybe camp guard was too strong, but certainly a collaborator, as Brad Lander turned his back on the Jewish community.”

Lander responded and also requested an apology.

“If you care about the human rights and freedom and dignity and lives of Palestinians and don’t want to keep sending bombs to kill them, then you’re like a concentration camp guard — that is just Trumpism, that’s just hate, that’s just vile,” he told NY1.

“For those Jews who didn’t vote for me on Tuesday, for people who are anxious, this is a time of rising antisemitism. Let’s have a better conversation about it. There [are] ways to disagree about U.S. policy toward Israel,” he added.

Ahead of Lander’s primary success in New York’s 10th Congressional District, covering parts of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, his opponent, Rep. Dan Goldman, was banned from a coffee shop in the district over his pro-Israel views.

“It’s also dangerous when our political leaders label people good or bad or try to decide who is in the tent of the Jewish community or not,” Spitalnick said.

“It effectively excuses or normalizes attacks and even violence against the people who are considered bad,” she added.

Blakeman also drew ire from his opponent, Gov. Kathy Hochul, who leads him in a head-to-head race by over 20 points, according to a recent Siena University poll.

“Absolutely despicable. It just reminds New Yorkers that every single time Bruce Blakeman opens up his mouth, he’s simply auditioning for his next role in the Trump administration after he loses the election,” Hochul told NY1 in an exclusive interview Thursday.

“What he did in doubling down on his disgusting remarks disqualifies him from public office,” she added.

But the New York Republican State Committee defended Blakeman.

“Antisemitism has become mainstream in the Democratic Party,” said David Laska, state GOP spokesman.

“Kathy Hochul is too weak and too afraid to stand up to her own party and defend Jewish Americans. Republicans will continue to call them out and stand up for the rights of Jewish and all Americans to live in safety,” he added.