Rep. Jamaal Bowman insisted the phrase “from the river to the sea” — which implies the destruction of Israel — isn’t hateful during a high stakes debate on Monday night.
The two-term congressman defended anti-Israel protesters who use the controversial phrase, despite the Anti-Defamation League’s criticism that is calls for the annihilation of the Jewish state.
“I know some do, others don’t, I do not,” Bowman said in response to a question from an audience member at Monday’s News 12 debate against Westchester County Executive George Latimer ahead of June’s Democratic primary.
Meanwhile, Latimer offered a sharp contrast to Bowman’s brief assessment.
“I think it is hate speech because I think it’s clear that from the river to the sea has meant specifically the eradication of the Jewish population from the land of Israel,” Latimer said.
Latimer, 70, also said some young protesters might be parroting the phrase while not understanding the meaning behind it.
“What’s behind the marketing campaign that’s being advanced is to try to delegitimize Israel and that there be a free Palestine is a hopeful sign, but it has to accept the fact that there is an Israel there as well,” he said.
Bowman, 48, made clear earlier in the debate he believes in Israel’s right to exist and wants a two-state solution. Latimer has also said he agrees with a two-station solution.
The two sparred for nearly 60 minutes during the local television debate, during which sparks flew at times.
The war between Israel and Hamas has been a focal point of the race between Bowman, a former educator who lives in Yonkers, and Latimer, who has served in several different elected offices and lives in Rye.
Bowman — a vocal critic of Israel — called for a permanent cease-fire following the atrocities of Oct. 7, while consistently slamming Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He’s also faced heat after calling Israel an apartheid state and questioning reports of rape Hamas carried about against Israelis during the terrorist attack.
Latimer, who has voiced stronger support for Israel, has received considerable financial support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee or better known as AIPAC, which Bowman criticized him over on Monday.
“You’re the number one recipient of AIPAC money in the country,” Bowman said, with Latimer cutting in, “And why do you think that is?”
He then claimed AIPAC is bankrolled by a “rightwing Republican who wants to destroy our democracy.”
At one point, Bowman also accused Latimer of portraying him as the “angry black man” after Latimer criticized his governing style.
“You can’t preach and scream at them on the steps of the Capitol,” a riled up Latimer said. “He’s ineffective as a congressman.”
An animated Bowman then raised his arms as he took exception to Latimer’s scathing review.
“The angry black man, the angry black man,” Bowman said. “It’s the southern strategy in the north. And they expect us to be quiet about it, we’re not going to be quiet about it.”
