Rep. Jamaal Bowman has defended the controversial phrase “from the river to the sea” during a high stakes debate. Despite the Anti-Defamation League’s criticism that the phrase calls for the destruction of Israel, Bowman insisted that he does not view it as hateful. During a debate with Westchester County Executive George Latimer, Bowman stated that while some may interpret the phrase in a negative way, he personally does not see it as advocating for the annihilation of Israel.
In contrast, Latimer sharply disagreed with Bowman, stating that the phrase is hate speech and historically has been used to imply the eradication of the Jewish population from the land of Israel. He also mentioned that some young protesters might be repeating the phrase without fully understanding its implications. According to Latimer, behind the marketing campaign advocating for a free Palestine, there is an attempt to delegitimize Israel, emphasizing the necessity for both a free Palestine and an Israel to coexist.
Bowman and Latimer both expressed support for a two-state solution, with Bowman emphasizing his belief in Israel’s right to exist. The two engaged in a heated debate on various issues for nearly 60 minutes during the televised debate. The Israel-Hamas conflict has become a central focus of the race between the two candidates, with Bowman denouncing Israel’s actions and calling for a permanent cease-fire, while criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his role in the conflict.
The candidates also clashed on issues related to Israel, with Latimer receiving substantial financial support from AIPAC, a pro-Israel lobbying group. Bowman criticized Latimer for accepting funds from AIPAC and accused the organization of being bankrolled by a right-wing Republican who seeks to undermine democracy. The debate also became personal, with Bowman accusing Latimer of portraying him as an “angry black man” and questioning his effectiveness as a congressman, leading to a tense exchange between the two candidates.
Bowman has been vocal in his criticism of Israel, referring to the country as an apartheid state and raising doubts about reports of rape carried out by Hamas during a terrorist attack. Latimer, on the other hand, has shown stronger support for Israel and has faced criticism for his ties to AIPAC. Despite their differences, both candidates expressed a commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict and supporting the coexistence of both Israel and a free Palestine. The debate highlighted the complex and contentious nature of discussions surrounding Israel and Palestine within the political arena.
