Former New York Representative Jamaal Bowman, known for his criticism of Israel, is establishing a Super PAC with the aim of defeating pro-Israel candidates. The newly formed “Built to Win” Super PAC, led by Bowman, who was removed in a Democratic primary last year largely due to his anti-Israel views, vows to fight for justice from Yonkers to Gaza and beyond.
In a recent interview, Bowman openly declared the PAC’s anti-Israel agenda, targeting candidates who align with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and prioritize interests contrary to their constituents. This move comes after Bowman’s defeat by pro-Israel moderate George Latimer in the 16th House District Democratic primary.
Critics, including Rabbi Jonathan Morgenstern and Liora Rez of StopAntisemitism, denounce Bowman’s actions as antisemitic and detrimental to the Jewish community. They question Bowman’s motives and effectiveness in supporting anti-Israel candidates, emphasizing the strong support for Israel among Americans.
State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs suggests that Bowman should focus on aiding underserved communities and promoting economic interests rather than perpetuating antisemitism and supporting terrorism. Civil-rights lawyer Rory Lancman emphasizes that the American public’s stance against anti-Semitism and terrorism was made clear in recent elections, particularly in response to Bowman’s actions.
Bowman’s move to create the Super PAC coincided with events involving Hamas, prompting further concerns about his agenda.
In a tragic event, Israeli hostages Kfir and Ariel Bibas, just 9 months and 4 years old, were brutally taken, alongside their mother Shiri. This serves as a stark representation of the values held by Bowman and his Political Action Committee (PAC), as stated by Lancman. For Lancman, this incident sheds light on the core values and future prospects of Bowman and his associated groups.
Latimer’s support base consisted of individuals who were put off by Bowman’s criticism of Israel during its conflict with Hamas in Gaza following a terrorist attack by the group on October 7, 2023. Among the well-funded groups supporting Bowman’s opponent was the United Democracy Project, an influential super PAC linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which poured a massive $14 million into the race. Another supporter was a cryptocurrency organization named Fair Shake, contributing an additional $2 million to fund advertisement campaigns.
Bowman faced backlash for accusing Israel of engaging in “genocide” in Gaza and initially denying reports of the appalling assaults on Israeli women during the October 7 Hamas attack, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, including 33 Americans.
In the lead-up to the primary election, Bowman made a bold statement at a rally alongside Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, proclaiming his intention to demonstrate the strength of the South Bronx to AIPAC. Despite his defeat, Bowman reasserted his commitment to advocating for a free Palestine in his concession speech, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing this advocacy from antisemitism.
However, even prominent black activists acknowledged that the support from the super PAC would not be sufficient to revive Bowman’s political career. Darius Jones, a senior adviser at the National Black Empowerment Action Fund, highlighted that Bowman’s loss was not solely due to his stance on Israel but also because of his failure to address the pressing needs of the Black community. Jones pointed out that Bowman’s disregard for issues such as public safety, education access, and community investment contributed to his electoral defeat.
