In a recently resurfaced video show, Rep. Jamal Bowman of the “Schism” angrily claimed that rape and child murder reported during Hamas’ October terrorist attacks were “lies” and called Israel “apartheid.” ” called the nation.
The liberal Empire State Democratic Party is now walking back claims it made on video as Israeli “propaganda” — after a Jewish leader labeled the congressman not a New Yorker but a “Hamas representative.” Because I blamed him.
“There was propaganda at the beginning of the siege,” Bowman was captured on video shouting to the crowd during a Nov. 17 rally in White Plains.
“We still don’t have any evidence that they decapitated babies or raped women, but they still continue to use lies,” Bowman said, according to the video. Posted on TikTok and First reported by Politico.
The embattled Mr. Bowman, who faces serious challenges from within his own party due in part to unrecognized support for Israel, continues to refer to the US ally as an “apartheid” state in videos. There is.
Bowman, who is closely aligned with democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), represents Westchester County in the 16th Congressional District, which includes parts of Westchester and the northern Bronx. This is being challenged by George Latimer of the Executive.
Republican candidate Chris Wright is also running in the overwhelmingly Democratic district.
The videos are only of the latest incidents obtained by the representative.
“Bowman has revealed his true nature to us. He represents Hamas in the Gaza Strip,” said Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis.
“He should change his party affiliation and run on the Hamas party line,” he added.
Republicans also lashed out over the violent video.
“Radical House Democrats ‘believe in all women’ until Hamas is blamed,” said Will Reinert, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee.
“Extreme House Democrats remain so blinded by their anti-Semitism and love of Hamas that they not only ignore the horrific crimes committed against Israeli women, but actively take credit for their trauma. He will try to hurt you.”
Bowman changed his stance Tuesday after reports about the video emerged.
“As I said at this rally, what Hamas did on October 7 was a war crime and all hostages must be released,” he said in a statement. “The United Nations has confirmed that Hamas has committed rape and sexual violence, a reprehensible fact that I fully condemn.
“I also voted in favor of resolution 966, which officially condemns rape and sexual violence by Hamas. So, to be clear, please make sure my words are not distorted. We oppose all forms of sexual violence and support peace for all.”
In an eight-minute speech seen on video, Bowman called Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel a “horrible” war crime, but he also condemned Israeli war crimes.
“Withdrawing food is a war crime. Cutting off water is a crime. Not allowing energy to flow into hospitals is a war crime,” Bowman said in the video.
The comments are the latest by the congressman to infuriate critics and fuel Latimer’s rival campaign as his challenger runs as a pro-Israel candidate.
Bowman once argued that a mural of Minister Louis Farrakhan should remain in a New York City suburb, but Farrakhan has made derogatory comments about Jews, including calling them “the synagogue of the devil” and “termites.” He was notorious for his actions, incurring the wrath of Jewish activists.
The congressman, 47, was principal of a Bronx middle school before defeating longtime congressman Eliot Engel in 2020.
While he was a school administrator, he continued to write a blog that entertained the conspiracy theory that World Trade Center Building 7 was destroyed by controlled demolition rather than by terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
He has also been embroiled in other controversies, including pleading guilty last year to setting off a fire alarm inside a Capitol office building in an attempt to disrupt a House vote.
He also championed the induction of convicted cop killer and fugitive Joan Chesimard into the Bronx Cornerstone Academy for Social Action’s “Hall of Fame” when he was principal. .
