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NY Ex-Rep Jamaal Bowman Launches Anti-Israel Super PAC in Bid to Oust Pro-Israel Candidates
Edited by: Fern Sidman
Former New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman, who was ousted from office in a landslide Democratic primary defeat, has launched a Super PAC with a blatantly anti-Israel mission—targeting pro-Israel politicians for electoral defeat. The New York Post reported that the newly established “Built to Win” Super PAC openly declares its mission of “fighting for justice” from Yonkers to Gaza, a phrase that many see as a direct reference to Bowman’s continued opposition to Israel and its supporters in the U.S. government.
Bowman’s new venture comes after he suffered a decisive loss in his Westchester and Bronx-based district to pro-Israel moderate George Latimer, who defeated him by more than 10 percentage points. The New York Post attributes much of Bowman’s political downfall to his relentless hostility toward Israel, a stance that alienated Jewish voters, moderate Democrats, and many within his own party.
As reported by The New York Post, Bowman was unapologetically explicit about his anti-Israel mission when discussing his Super PAC’s goals. In an interview with City & State, Bowman made it clear that “Built to Win” will be used to target candidates who support Israel, particularly those who stand by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Bowman stated: “Any candidate that supports [Israeli Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu and genocide more than their constituents, any candidate that’s tied up with corrupt crypto money, any candidate tied up with the real estate lobby as opposed to renters, we’re going to go after those candidates very aggressively.”
Bowman’s framing of pro-Israel policies as “genocide” is a well-worn talking point of anti-Israel activists, which has been widely condemned as inflammatory and misleading. Furthermore, The New York Post reported that his decision to conflate Israel advocacy with corruption and real estate interests has been criticized as a dangerous and dog-whistle-laden attack against Jewish political engagement.
Jewish leaders in Westchester County and beyond have strongly condemned Bowman’s new Super PAC, viewing it as a continuation of his anti-Semitic rhetoric and attacks on the Jewish state.
Rabbi Jonathan Morgenstern, a leader in Westchester’s Jewish community and head of Young Israel of Scarsdale, did not mince words when speaking to The New York Post about Bowman’s latest endeavor: “Bowman is a true, authentic anti-Semite. The Super PAC shows his true colors. He’s tripling down on attacking the Jewish people and the only Jewish state. It’s disturbing and sad.”
Similarly, Liora Rez, the founder of StopAntisemitism, dismissed Bowman’s electoral influence and political future, highlighting his past campaign failures: “Even if someone wanted to get more antisemitic, anti-Israel candidates elected, it’s hard to imagine they’d give their money to a failure like Jamaal Bowman.”
Rez also reminded The New York Post that Bowman already squandered campaign donations in his losing race against George Latimer, making his credibility as a political strategist highly questionable.
Moreover, she emphasized that the American public overwhelmingly supports Israel, stating: “Americans overwhelmingly stand with Israel and the Jewish people, who have been a contributing and vital part of this great nation since its founding.”
Bowman’s anti-Israel activism has placed him at odds with many within his own party. New York State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs harshly criticized Bowman’s latest political maneuver, arguing that his anti-Israel crusade serves no real purpose except to keep himself politically relevant.
In a statement to The New York Post, Jacobs stated: “Former Rep. Bowman would be better to devote his new PAC to helping underserved people in our communities as well as promoting the economic interests of working-class Americans instead of continuing his anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist advocacy in a pitiful attempt to retain even a drop of political relevance.”
Jacobs’ condemnation highlights how Bowman’s radical views have increasingly isolated him from mainstream Democrats, particularly as the party struggles with internal tensions over Israel policy.
Bowman’s anti-Israel rhetoric and aggressive targeting of pro-Israel candidates have not only led to his own political downfall but also weakened his standing within progressive circles, as per the information in The New York Post report. His defeat in the 16th Congressional District Democratic primary sent a clear message that New York voters—especially those in Westchester County—reject his extreme positions on Israel.
Rory Lancman, a Jewish civil-rights lawyer and former Queens councilman, reinforced this point in his remarks to The New York Post, stating: “Last year, voters across the country said loud and clear that America stands with Israel and against anti-Semitism and terrorism, and they said it especially loudly to Jamaal Bowman.”
The New York Post further noted that Bowman’s efforts to revive his political influence through an anti-Israel Super PAC seem destined to fail, given his own electoral history.
As detailed by The New York Post, Jamaal Bowman’s new Super PAC is less about winning elections and more about settling personal and ideological scores. His anti-Israel stance, which played a major role in his political downfall, is now being weaponized to target other pro-Israel politicians, even as his own political career has collapsed.
With Jewish leaders, Democratic officials, and civil-rights advocates united in condemning his latest move, The New York Post makes it clear that Bowman’s attempt to rebuild his political relevance through anti-Israel activism is unlikely to gain traction.
