‘Squad’ member Jamaal Bowman under fire for fundraising with ‘anti-Israel’ Rashida Tlaib as he faces challenge from moderate
Embattled “Squad” member Rep. Jamaal Bowman is being roundly criticized by pro-Israel activists for forming a joint fundraising committee with Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
Bowman, who represents a district that includes part of the Bronx and Westchester County, appears to be teaming up with Tlaib after she was censured by the Republican-led House of Representatives for defending terror-group Hamas and its Oct. 7 invasion of Israel.
Records filed with the Federal Elections Committee show that Bowman-Tlaib Committee was formed on Feb. 14 to aid Bowman in his Democratic primary race against moderate Westchester County Executive George Latimer.
“Nothing Bowman does at this point surprises given his record of being anti-Israel,” said Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, executive vice chairman of the New York Board of Rabbis.
“Tlaib couldn’t even vote against Hamas. She’s an adversary to the Jewish people,” he said.
The Hamas-Israel war has become a burning issue in Bowman’s 16th Congressional District as some pro-Jewish groups are strongly backing Latimer.
Latimer also pounced on the Bowman-Tlaib joint fundraising campaign.
“Our campaign keeps growing our support within our home area – Westchester and the Bronx – raising our funds and getting endorsements from local residents who want better representation in Congress,” the Latimer campaign said.
“The incumbent, with his weak in-district numbers, has now resorted to working hand in hand with Rep. Tlaib, who refuses to condemn the rape of Israeli women and is actively working to defeat President Biden in her home state of Michigan. That says it all.”
Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Bowman are members of the so-called “Squad” that includes Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is also backing Bowman’s re-election.
Bowman’s campaign had no immediate comment on the joint fundraising effort with Tlaib. Since Tlaib is facing a serious primary challenge, the joint committee appears to benefit Bowman as a fundraising vehicle.
“This is going to be a close race. It’s going to be an ugly race,” said AJ Woodson, who is editor-in-chief of blackwestchester.com and who knows both candidates well.
Woodson last week reported that Latimer accused Bowman of taking money from Hamas. Bowman threatened to sue Latimer for defamation and accused his rival of Islamophobia.
