Jamaal Bowman slams AIPAC ‘Republican racist MAGA Trump money’ in final debate
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Rep. Jamaal bowman (DNY) attacked the American Israel Public Affairs Committee during his final debate with George Latimer. He called their support of his opponent “Republican racist MAGA Trump Money.”
Bowman’s campaign has been defined by AIPAC. They turned against him after he changed his position on Israel in the Gaza war, and he became one of the most critical congressmen of Israel. Punchbowl reports that AIPAC spent $14 million on the race to undermine Bowman and boost Latimer. The incumbent continued to attack the donations in their final debate as dark money from the right.
Bowman stated in his closing remarks that AIPAC “spent more money on this primary than any PAC in U.S. History.” Why? Why? “I fight against genocide and injustice right here.”
He also said there was a “republican racist MAGA Trump” money avalanche attacking him.
Bowman is under fire after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel in October, which sparked the deadliest conflict between Israel and Palestinians ever since Israel was founded in 1948. Jewish leaders have criticized Bowman for his hesitation to side with Israel. Bowman used to be a strong supporter of Israel prior to this conflict. Bowman’s current position is similar to that of other progressives such as Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashid Tlaib.
Bowman’s anti-Israeli sentiment has increased as the conflict continues. In a meeting last week with the Democratic Socialists, Bowman said his views were similar to theirs, and he would announce soon his support for boycott, divest and sanction, which is seen by many Jews, as antisemitic. He has called the Gaza war a genocide, and has voiced his opposition to funding Israel’s Iron Dome system for missile defense.
During the TV debate, the impact of the surge in funds was evident when three different attack ads were shown against Bowman during a single commercial break.
Israel was the main topic of discussion during the debate. Bowman responded to a query about whether or not the United States should finance the Iron Dome by saying that no money should be given anymore to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Bowman stated that “this race is about the many against the money.” Bowman said, “This race is really about the many versus the money.”
Latimer called the incumbent repeatedly a liar and accused him hiding behind progressive rhetoric instead of delivering for people in the district.
Bowman will be the first incumbent Democrat in history to lose their primary. A June poll by PIX showed him 17 points behind Latimer.