At a Black History Month event in New Rochelle over the weekend, George Latimer made controversial remarks about Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., whom he is challenging in a Democratic primary. Latimer accused Bowman of taking money from the Palestinian militant group Hamas, a U.S.-designated foreign terror organization. The comments sparked a heated response from Bowman’s campaign, which threatened to sue Latimer for defamation and demanded a retraction of the statements.
The accusations against Bowman came during a conversation with a constituent who questioned Latimer’s campaign funding sources, particularly his ties to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). AIPAC, as reported by The Intercept, is Latimer’s largest campaign funder and has been actively involved in supporting his candidacy. When the constituent referred to Latimer as “taking money from the devil,” Latimer retaliated by alleging that Bowman was also receiving funds from Hamas.
The contentious exchange between Latimer and the constituent shed light on the ongoing Democratic primary race, where AIPAC’s influence has become a significant factor. AIPAC’s efforts to unseat progressive members of Congress, including Bowman, have become a central theme of the 2024 primary season. The lobby group’s strategy to replace Democratic incumbents with centrist candidates who strongly support Israel has raised concerns among progressive circles.
Bowman condemned Latimer’s remarks as Islamophobic and dangerous, calling for an apology to the community that he believes was unfairly targeted. Despite being pressed for evidence to support his claims, Latimer stood by his allegations and attempted to link Bowman to Hamas through various news articles and statements.
The controversy surrounding Latimer’s accusations has highlighted the divisive nature of the Democratic primary in Westchester. The constituent who confronted Latimer expressed concerns about the campaign’s attempts to stoke fear among Jewish residents by associating Bowman with Hamas in a racially charged manner. Additionally, there were criticisms of Latimer’s outreach to Republican voters and his connections to donors who supported former President Donald Trump.
AIPAC’s endorsement of Latimer’s campaign and its efforts to mobilize Jewish Republicans against Bowman have further fueled tensions within the Democratic primary race. The lobby group’s aggressive tactics against members of Congress who have criticized U.S. military support for Israel have drawn scrutiny from progressive lawmakers, including Bowman and other members of the Squad.
As AIPAC intensifies its involvement in congressional elections and targets progressive candidates like Bowman, the debate over U.S. policy towards Israel and Palestine continues to be a contentious issue. The lobby group’s significant financial resources and political influence have raised concerns about outside interference in Democratic primaries and the broader implications for progressive politics.
In conclusion, the allegations made by George Latimer against Jamaal Bowman have ignited a fierce debate within the Democratic primary race in Westchester. The accusations of ties to Hamas and AIPAC’s involvement in supporting Latimer’s campaign have underscored the complex dynamics of U.S. politics and the challenges faced by progressive candidates in navigating contentious issues like Israel-Palestine relations.