Pro-'Israel' lobby causes Dem lawmaker unseating for 'Israel' critique
4 Min Read
AIPAC intensifies efforts to oust progressive Black members of Congress critical of "Israel".
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US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (L), Democrat of New York; US Independent Senator Bernie Sanders (C) from Vermont and US Representative Jamaal Bowman, Democrat of New York, attend a 'Get Out The Vote' rally on the weekend before the Democratic Primary in New York, June 22, 2024. (AFP)
Pro-"Israel" lobbying groups have successfully resulted in the ouster of a vocal critic of the Israeli government in the US Democratic primary in suburban New York.
Reports from US media on Tuesday indicated that Congressman Jamaal Bowman lost his primary challenge to Democratic rival George Latimer.
Latimer, who is backed by the influential pro-"Israel" fundraising group, AIPAC, garnered nearly 56% of the vote with over 70% of ballots counted. Bowman faced criticism for his outspoken stance against Israeli atrocities, particularly during its recent aggression on Gaza.
It is worth noting that the Democratic primary race for a US House of Representatives seat in New York has been turned into a new battleground for an influential pro-"Israel" fundraising group, which spent almost $2 million on ads this week against incumbent Jamaal Bowman, Reuters reported on May 18.
In the June 25 primary for the 16th Congressional District, which includes the northern Bronx and parts of Westchester County, Jamaal Bowman was in a closely contested race with George Latimer, the county executive for Westchester.
Bowman reportedly believed that there should be a change in Israeli leadership and urged for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing that he is against "genocide" and "ethnic cleansing".
Influence and funding dynamics in the most expensive house primary
Bowman, who had been running for a third term, conceded the race at his election party in Yonkers, maintaining his steadfast opposition to the war in Gaza.
“This movement has always been about justice. It has always been about humanity. It has always been about equality,” he stressed.
Several lobbies collectively spent $24.8 million in the race, making it the most expensive primary for a House of Representatives seat in history. George Latimer is a former state legislator and current Westchester County executive since 2018.
He positioned himself as a staunch advocate for "Israel" and characterized the Palestinian Resistance as a "terrorist group" with whom negotiations are not possible.
With substantial financial support from AIPAC and other pro-"Israel" lobbies, the 70-year-old Latimer won over Jamaal Bowman in the Democratic primary for New York's 16th Congressional District. Supporters of "Israel" and its ongoing genocide in Gaza are celebrating this outcome.
Targeting progressive black congress members critical of 'Israel'
Recent developments show AIPAC intensifying efforts to oust progressive Black members of Congress critical of "Israel".
Reports indicate AIPAC allocated $14.5 million to the race within a single month, amounting to approximately $17,000 per hour.
“Never before in the history of US politics has so much money been spent in a single Congressional election,” the reports said. “Getting Bowman out of Congress was a top priority for the right wing, both because of his criticism of Israel and because of across-the-board opposition to his policies on economic inequality and racial justice.”
AIPAC’s list of top targets for 2024
AIPAC's list of primary targets for 2024 also reportedly included Pennsylvania Representative Summer Lee, who won her April election, and Missouri Representative Cori Bush, who faces a challenging election in August.
Other progressive members of Congress have faced scrutiny for openly criticizing Washington's unwavering support for Tel Aviv.
In November of last year, US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar introduced a resolution to halt a $320 million arms sale to "Israel", stating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right cabinet persist in committing war crimes during their blockade of the Gaza Strip.
This is happening as the death toll has reached 37,718 Palestinians killed and 86,377 injured by the Israeli occupation amid the IOF's brutal genocide, according to the latest daily report published by the Health Ministry in Gaza.
Read next: NY race for US House latest 'Israel' lobby battleground: Reuters
