Rep. Jamaal Bowman faces primary challenge after attending event co-hosted by Nihad Awad, a controversial leader who expressed support for Hamas attack on Israeli civilians.
Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a member of the far-left "Squad," drew scrutiny for attending a fundraiser co-hosted by Nihad Awad, a controversial Islamic leader known for his antisemitic views. The fundraiser, held in May at a private residence in Virginia, was attended by Bowman despite Awad's history of supporting terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians.
Awad, who serves as the national executive director and co-founder of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), sparked outrage in 2021 after expressing pleasure with the Hamas attack on Israeli civilians that resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people, including women and babies. He claimed that Israel "does not have a right to self-defense" and that Gazans have the right to break their "siege."
Bowman's decision to attend the fundraiser alongside Awad has raised questions about his judgment and commitment to combating antisemitism. His campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment on his association with Awad.
Bowman is facing a tough primary challenge from George Latimer, the Westchester County executive. The primary will be held on June 25, and the winner is expected to become the next representative of the district, as the race is rated as "safe" or "solid" Democrat.
The Biden administration has condemned Awad's statements and removed CAIR from its publicly listed pledge to fight antisemitism. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates called Awad's comments "shocking, Antisemitic" and emphasized that the Hamas attacks were "abhorrent" and "unadulterated evil."
Despite the controversy surrounding Awad, Bowman has not publicly commented on his decision to attend the fundraiser. His attendance has sparked concerns about his alignment with extremist views and his potential vulnerability in the upcoming primary.
Latimer, Bowman's primary challenger, has seized on the controversy to attack Bowman's judgment. He has accused Bowman of being "out of touch with the values of his district" and aligning himself with "those who deny the Holocaust."
The controversy surrounding Awad and Bowman's attendance at the fundraiser could have significant implications for his primary campaign. Latimer is likely to continue to use the issue to paint Bowman as an extremist, while Bowman will need to defend his association and articulate his stance on antisemitism.
The controversy could also impact Bowman's reputation on the national stage. If he is defeated in the primary, it could send a message that the Democratic Party is not tolerant of antisemitism. Conversely, a Bowman victory could embolden extremists and send a dangerous signal that anti-Israel sentiment is acceptable.
