Amidst the heat of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a member of the left-wing “Squad” in Congress, is facing backlash from local Jewish leaders in Westchester County, New York. Bowman, who is up for re-election against a more moderate Democrat, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, has been criticized for his stance on Israel, causing him to lose support from some fellow progressives.
A recent Jewish Insider piece shed light on an incident where Bowman allegedly asked a local Westchester Jewish leader for photos of them together to show the world that he is friends with Jewish people. This request came after Bowman attended an event to support a House bill related to former President Trump’s Abraham Accords Mideast peace deal, only to later withdraw his support for the legislation. The situation left the Jewish leader feeling uncomfortable and raised concerns among Jewish activists, with calls for Bowman to reconsider his position.
Bowman’s office did not respond to requests for comment on the Jewish Insider piece, further fueling the controversy. Rabbi Evan Hoffman expressed his support for Latimer, citing Bowman’s opposition to Israel and Jewish constituents in the district. Bowman has been vocal about his support for the BDS movement against Israel, which has drawn criticism from pro-Israel activists who view it as antisemitic.
On the other hand, Latimer has received support from AIPAC, with reports indicating that a significant portion of his fundraising comes from the organization. Former Rep. Mondaire Jones endorsed Latimer over Bowman, citing their differing views on Israel. Despite the criticism Bowman faces, he has garnered support from various groups, including New York’s Working Families Party and the Democratic Socialists of America.
Looking ahead to the upcoming election, Dr. Miriam Flisser, a pediatric consultant and former mayor of Scarsdale, is the Republican contender set to face either Bowman or Latimer. However, the district has a strong Democratic leaning, making the eventual Democratic nominee the favorite in November.
As the controversy surrounding Bowman continues to unfold, his supporters and critics remain divided on his stance on Israel and his overall approach to governance. The upcoming election will be a crucial moment for Bowman as he seeks to secure another term in office amidst growing opposition from within his own district.
