Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and Democratic primary challenger George Latimer had a fierce primary debate on Monday as the “Squad” member attempts to hold onto his seat representing the Empire State.
Bowman, alongside other members of the “Squad” such as Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), has been a chief critic of Israel in the House of Representatives, which has garnered him a primary challenge to represent New York’s 16th Congressional District. During the debate, Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza was a contentious topic.
Among the points the two sparred on was the controversial phrase “from the river to the sea.” Bowman rejected the characterization that it is a call for the eradication of the Jewish state, while Latimer flatly called it “hate speech.”
Bowman criticized Latimer for taking money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobbying group that endorses Republicans and Democrats, and also accused his challenger of wanting to “play nice” with hard-right Republicans, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), in the House.
“You want to go to Washington and play nice with Marjorie Taylor Greene?” Bowman said.
“No, you vote with her, so why shouldn’t you play nice with her?” Latimer responded, seemingly in reference to his vote not to table a motion to vacate House Speaker Mike Johnson — which was spearheaded by Greene.
The most bitter moment from the debate came when Latimer criticized Bowman over some of his conduct while serving in Congress — alluding to an incident when he got into a shouting match with Greene on the Capitol steps.
“You need to talk to them as normal people. You can’t preach and scream at them on the steps of the Capitol,” Latimer said. “He’s ineffective for this very reason.”
Bowman responded by declaring that Latimer was using the “angry black man” trope.
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“It’s the Southern strategy in the north,” Bowman said.
Bowman is widely considered to be one of the most vulnerable pro-Palestinian House Democrats. The primary between Bowman and Latimer is set for June 25.