Rep. Jamaal Bowman says ‘from the river to the sea’ chant is not hate speech during debate

Metro

By Carl Campanile And David Proper

Rep. Jamaal Bowman insisted that the phrase “from the river to the sea” — which implies the destruction of Israel — was not hateful during a high-stakes debate Monday night.

The two-term lawmaker defended anti-Israel protesters who use the controversial phrase, despite criticism from the Anti-Defamation League which calls for the annihilation of the Jewish state.

“I know some people know, some people don’t, I don’t,” Bowman said in response to a question from an audience member during Monday’s News 12 debate against Westchester County Executive George Latimer, before the Democratic primary in June.

Meanwhile, Latimer offers a stark contrast to Bowman’s brief assessment.

“I think it is hate speech because I think it is clear that from the river to the sea specifically means the eradication of the Jewish population from the land of Israel,” Latimer said .

Latimer, 70, also said some young protesters may be repeating the phrase without understanding its meaning.

“What is behind the current marketing campaign is trying to delegitimize Israel and that there is a free Palestine is a sign of hope, but we must accept the fact that there is also an Israel there,” he said.

Bowman, 48, made clear earlier in the debate that he believes in Israel’s right to exist and wants a two-state solution. Latimer also said he favored a two-state solution.

The two men clashed for nearly 60 minutes on the local television debate, during which sparks sometimes flew.

The war between Israel and Hamas has been at the heart of the race between Bowman, a former educator who lives in Yonkers, and Latimer, who has served in several elected offices and lives in Rye.

Bowman – a vocal critic of Israel – called for a permanent ceasefire after the October 7 atrocities, while constantly castigating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He also faced criticism after calling Israel an apartheid state and questioning reports of Hamas rapes against Israelis during the terror attack.

Latimer, who has expressed stronger support for Israel, has received considerable financial support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee or better known as AIPAC, for which Bowman criticized him on Monday.

“You are the number one recipient of AIPAC money in the country,” Bowman said, as Latimer interrupted. “And why do you think that’s the case?”

He then claimed that AIPAC was funded by a “right-wing Republican who wants to destroy our democracy.”

At one point, Bowman also accused Latimer of describing him as an “angry black man” after Latimer criticized his governing style.

“You can’t preach and yell at them on the steps of the Capitol,” Latimer said, angrily. “He is ineffective as a congressman.”

An animated Bowman then raised his arms in opposition to Latimer’s scathing criticism.

“Angry black man, angry black man,” Bowman said. “It’s the strategy of the South in the North. And they expect us to stay quiet about it, we’re not going to stay quiet about it.