Rep. Jamal Bowman argued during a high-stakes debate Monday night that the phrase “from the river to the sea,” which connotes Israel’s destruction, is not hateful.
The two-term lawmaker defended anti-Israel protesters who used controversial phrases. Despite the Anti-Defamation League It is a criticism that calls for the disappearance of the Jewish state.
“Some people do it, some people don’t,” Bowman said in response to a question from the audience during Monday’s News 12 debate with Westchester County Executive George Latimer ahead of the June Democratic primary. Some people do it, but I don’t do it.”
Mr. Latimer, on the other hand, offered an opinion that contrasted with Mr. Bowman’s simple assessment.
“I think it’s hate speech because I think it’s clear that river to sea means eradicating Jews, especially from the Land of Israel,” Latimer said.
Latimer, 70, said some younger protesters may be parroting the word without understanding the meaning behind it.
“Behind the ongoing marketing campaign is an attempt to delegitimize Israel, and while the existence of a free Palestine is a sign of hope, we have to accept the fact that Israel exists there too. No,” he said.
Bowman, 48, made it clear at the beginning of the debate that he believes in Israel’s right to exist and wants a two-state solution. Latimer also said he agrees with a two-station solution.
The two sparred for nearly 60 minutes on a local TV debate, with occasional sparks flying during the match.
The war between Israel and Hamas is the focus of a campaign between Mr. Bowman, a former educator who lives in Yonkers, and Mr. Latimer, who has held several elected offices and lives in Rye.
Bowman, a vocal critic of Israel, has consistently criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while calling for a permanent ceasefire in the wake of the October 7 atrocity.
He has also faced intense controversy for calling Israel an apartheid state and questioning reports of rape committed by Hamas against Israelis during terrorist attacks.
Bowman criticized Latimer on Monday, even though Latimer, who has voiced increased support for Israel, has received significant funding from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, also known as AIPAC.
“You’re the biggest recipient of AIPAC funding in this country,” Bowman said, to which Latimer interjected, “Why do you think that?”
He also claimed that AIPAC is funded by “right-wing Republicans who want to destroy democracy.”
Mr. Bowman once accused Mr. Latimer of portraying him as an “angry black man” after Mr. Latimer criticized his governing style.
“You can’t lecture and scream at them on the steps of the Capitol,” an outraged Latimer said. “He is incompetent as a member of Congress.”
Then the animated Bowman raised his arm and objected to Latimer’s scathing review.
“Angry black people, angry black people,” Bowman said. “It’s the strategy of the South in the North. And they expect us to be quiet about it, but we’re not going to be quiet about it.”
