Tensions rose during Wednesday night's debate between New York Republican Rep. Michael Lawler and former Democratic Rep. Mondale Jones as the two clashed over differing views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
During the CBS News showdown, Jones was pressed about his previous support for a plan to force Israel to abandon land it captured after being attacked by Arab countries in the 1967 war. The Jewish state won.
Mr Jones said there was a need for a “two-state solution” between Israel and the Palestinians, adding: “Part of that has to include some kind of land swap.”
He said the expansion of settlements in the West Bank under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “inappropriate” and that these settlements should be dismantled.
Lawler retorted, “Are you insane?” Are you talking about land exchange? ”
The freshman lawmaker said he opposes pressuring Israel to give up its land.
Lawler argued that a peaceful two-state solution was a pipe dream until neighboring Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia, formally recognized the Jewish state.
Only then will it be possible to discuss a two-state Israeli-Palestinian solution.
Both men are vying for a House seat in the 17th Congressional District in the lower Hudson Valley, which includes Rockland and Putnam counties and parts of Westchester and Dutchess counties. The district has an important Jewish, pro-Israel constituency.
During the hour-long debate, Mr. Lawler and Mr. Jones repeatedly argued, using name-calling.
Mr. Lawler called Mr. Jones a “socialist,” and Mr. Jones called the congressman a “mini-fascist.”
“If you speak like a socialist, you vote like a socialist. That's a socialist, folks,” said Lawler, who tried to paint Jones as a radical leftist.
Jones linked Lawler to former President Donald Trump, a Republican candidate for the White House.
Both candidates responded to Trump's former chief of staff, John Kelly, who claimed in an interview that Trump was a “fascist” who wanted the U.S. military leadership to be like “Hitler's generals.” requested.
“If you're saying things like a fascist, you're supporting a fascist for president…that's a mini-fascist,” Jones said of Lawler.
Asked about Kelly's comments, Lawler said he “condemns any comments” that promote Hitler or fascism.
Jones responded, “It's a shame that Mike Lawler continues to support this man.”
Lawler is seeking re-election for a second term in 2022, defeating former Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney.
Mr. Jones, who was elected to the 17th District in 2020, declined to run for re-election because his district had been changed due to redistricting and he would have faced fellow Democrat Mr. Maloney.
Instead, he ran two years ago in the 10th District, which covers lower Manhattan and brownstone Brooklyn, but lost in the Democratic primary to Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman.
The former congressman is now running against Lawler in his old seat.
