NY Rep. Jamaal Bowman Sparks Controversy by Hosting Anti-Israel Scholar at Panel Discussion

Edited by: Fern Sidman

Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York has stirred controversy once again by introducing Norman Finkelstein, a polarizing anti-Israel scholar, at a panel discussion on the Israel-Hamas war in Westchester County that was held last Sunday, as was reported on The Jewish Insider web site. Finkelstein, known for his provocative views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, was welcomed by Bowman, who expressed admiration for the scholar, despite Finkelstein’s contentious history.

Finkelstein, a political scientist, faced allegations of promoting conspiracy theories about Jewish extortion in his 2000 polemic, “The Holocaust Industry,” according to the report on JewishInsider.com. Denied tenure at DePaul University in 2007 amid accusations of anti-Semitism, Finkelstein has been a divisive figure for comparing Israel to Nazi Germany and expressing support for Hezbollah, an Iran-backed terror group in Lebanon.

I had seen a few interviews but was unaware of Norman Finkelstein’s completely reprehensible comments before this event. And when he made comments on October 7th at this event, I strongly condemned his language and will always continue to do so. I apologize deeply to any of my…

— Rep. Jamaal Bowman Ed.D. (@JamaalBowmanNY) January 21, 2024

Finkelstein’s recent celebration of Hamas’ October 7 terror attacks as a “heroic resistance” comparable to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising has added fuel to the controversy, as was indicated in the jewishinsider.com report. Despite this, Bowman made no reference to Finkelstein’s controversial remarks during the panel discussion.

Expressing being “starstruck” by Finkelstein’s inclusion on the panel, Bowman thanked the scholars in attendance, including Finkelstein and Georgetown University professor Fida Adely, for delivering remarks that he perceives as the truth, the jewishinsider.com report said. Adely, a BDS movement supporter, has accused Israel of “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians.

During a fiery speech at the event, Bowman accused the U.S. government of providing weapons to Israel and described their actions in Gaza as “atrocities.” According to the information provided in the jewishinsider.com report, Bowman urged attendees to hold elected officials accountable for their silence on the issue, claiming complicity in the “mass murder of women and children.”

Taking @piersmorgan‘s lead, I asked Norman Finkelstein if he condemns what Hamas did on October 7th.

This is what he had to say: pic.twitter.com/nigST1nw8N

— Eli Hassell (@eli_hassell) January 14, 2024

 Notably, Bowman, who represents a sizable Jewish community in Westchester County, did not address the concerns raised by Finkelstein’s controversial views, focusing instead on what he perceives as a need to expose the truth about the seemingly intractable Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as was noted in the jewishinsider.com report.

As the controversy unfolded, a spokesperson for Bowman did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Jewish Insider, leaving questions about the representative’s stance on Finkelstein’s controversial statements unanswered.

Just when you think the Squad couldn’t get any worse, Jamaal Bowman is now campaigning with Norman Finkelstein, whom he says he admires.

Finkelstein said that the Oct 7 massacre “warmed every fibre of his soul.”https://t.co/xzqfLa5cZx

— Shelley G (@ShelleyGldschmt) January 20, 2024

Bowman, a prominent member of the progressive Squad, spoke passionately about the civilian death toll in Gaza, drawing attention to what he characterized as an unconfirmed claim that it was “over double the amount that have been killed in Ukraine over a year’s period of time,” as per the jewishinsider.com report.  Bowman emphasized the importance of truth-telling and took a strong stance against what he described as “powerful lobbies” that use intimidation and scare tactics to silence critics of Israel, the jewishinsider.com report mentioned.

He specifically pointed out the accusation of anti-Semitism, labeling it as a tool used by these lobbies to maintain power. The report on the jewishinsider.com website said that the Congressman firmly asserted that offering criticism of the Israeli government’s actions does not equate to anti-Semitism.

Alleging that his colleagues in the House are hesitant to speak out against Israel due to fears of reprisals from pro-Israel groups, Bowman insisted that the truth would eventually come out. As was indicated in the jewishinsider.com report, he expressed confidence that once the truth is known, those in power would begin to lose their influence.

Squad Rep. Jamaal Bowman praises ‘antisemite’ Norman Finkelstein who said Hamas Oct 7 massacre ‘warms every fiber of my soul’ #NewsBreak imho from one anti semite to another, Bowman legacy will be pulling that fire alarm https://t.co/UV9XNLNvsX

— John Q. Public (@JohnDoeOU812) January 21, 2024

Congressman Bowman’s primary opponent, George Latimer, the Westchester County executive, was encouraged to run by AIPAC, a leading pro-Israel group, as was reported by the jewishinsider.com. AIPAC’s affiliated super PAC ran attack ads in the district, criticizing Bowman for his views on Israel. The incumbent faced fierce backlash among Jewish voters for his increasingly hostile positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

As the event concluded, Bowman urged attendees to remain active, especially in light of the growing number of Squad members facing challengers who emphasize their support for Israel, the report on the jewishinsider.com report said. He focused the importance of support from the community in the upcoming elections, stating, “I’m on the ballot and many others are on the ballot. You gotta help us out.”