James Fischback, a former candidate for governor in Florida known for his controversial views, was forcibly removed from a Miami-Dade County Commission meeting this Tuesday. His removal followed his protests against the county’s increased investment in bonds linked to Israel.
Before being escorted out, Fischback challenged the commissioners, asking, “Do you serve the people of Hialeah or of Haifa? Do you serve the people of Aventura or of Tel Aviv? This money should be invested here in this community,” emphasizing that funds should remain within Miami-Dade County.
This incident comes after the county made a decision earlier this summer to raise its cap on investments in Israeli bonds from 3% to 5%, allowing for a potential investment of around $400 million to $450 million. Fischback and others who oppose this move argue that public funds should not be tied to Israel, especially amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has polarized opinions in the U.S.
Fischback, representing the Republican Party, has gained national spotlight for his contentious public appearances and views on various issues, including race. He had previously run in a primary contest where he garnered 10.4% of the votes, drawing scrutiny for several provocative statements.
In one notable instance, he referred to Congressman Byron Donalds, who is also a Republican frontrunner, using derogatory language during a press conference. He claimed that Donalds, who is one of the few Black Republicans in Congress, was subservient to his donors and corporate interests.
During the recent meeting, Fischback wasn’t alone in expressing his discontent. Other community members also voiced their opposition, including a woman named Ivar Fandel, who wore a shirt with the phrase “let Gaza live.” She highlighted the budget crisis and ongoing violence in Gaza, linking these issues to the county’s investment decisions.
Throughout his campaign, Fischback insisted on steering clear of funds linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and has promised to withdraw from Israeli bonds. He criticized existing policies that allow using taxpayer money for such investments, pointing out that, while generally prohibited, Israel has a unique exemption.
“I think there’s a significant problem when politicians are perceived as having a primary allegiance to a foreign nation,” Fischback remarked in a discussion, underlining his stance against what he sees as partiality towards Israeli interests among certain politicians.
Despite his outspoken opinions, Fischback has not yet provided further comments in response to inquiries following the recent commission meeting.
