Congressman Jamaal Bowman stirred controversy with recently resurfaced video footage in which he referred to Israel as an “apartheid” state and dismissed reports of rapes and child murders during Hamas’ October terror attacks as a “lie.” The liberal Empire State Democrat has since backtracked on his claims of Israel propaganda, following criticism from a Jewish leader who accused him of representing Hamas rather than New Yorkers. In the video, Bowman is heard shouting to a crowd during a rally in White Plains about the propaganda used at the beginning of the siege and the lack of evidence for the reported atrocities.
Facing a challenge from Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Republican candidate Chris Wright in the 16th Congressional District, Bowman is aligned with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and has come under fire for his comments in the resurfaced video. Rabbi Joseph Potasnik accused Bowman of representing Hamas and suggested he should change his party affiliation to run on the Hamas party line. Republicans seized on the video, criticizing extreme House Democrats for ignoring crimes committed against Israeli women and siding with Hamas.
In an about-face following reports on the video, Bowman clarified his stance by condemning Hamas’ actions on Oct. 7 as war crimes and calling for the release of hostages. He also pointed out his support for Resolution 966, which condemned the rape and sexual violence committed by Hamas. Despite his condemnation of Hamas, Bowman also accused Israel of war crimes, sparking further controversy and criticism from opponents, including his pro-Israel challenger Latimer.
Bowman, a former Bronx middle school principal who defeated longtime Rep. Eliot Engel in 2020, has a history of controversial statements and actions. He previously argued for a mural of Minister Louis Farrakhan to remain in a New York City suburb, drawing outrage from Jewish activists due to Farrakhan’s anti-Semitic remarks. Additionally, Bowman faced criticism for entertaining conspiracy theories about the 9/11 attacks and for pleading guilty to pulling a fire alarm in a Capitol office building, disrupting a House vote. He also defended honoring convicted cop killer Joanne Chesimard at his previous school, further fueling controversy around his past actions.
The backlash against Bowman’s comments in the resurfaced video has bolstered the momentum of his opponent Latimer’s campaign, as the challenger presents himself as a pro-Israel candidate. Despite Bowman’s efforts to clarify his position and distance himself from Hamas, his reputation has been tarnished by the video and previous controversies. As the race in the 16th Congressional District heats up, Bowman’s alignment with progressive Democrats like Ocasio-Cortez and his past actions continue to be scrutinized by critics, impacting his standing within the party and among constituents. Ultimately, the fallout from the video may have lasting repercussions for Bowman’s political career and his prospects in the upcoming election.
