Bowman reconciles with Democratic Socialists of America before primary
The provided text describes a situation involving Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and his relationship with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). After distancing himself from the DSA due to their reaction to a terrorist attack in Israel on October 7, which included supporting a pro-Palestinian rally celebrating the attack, Bowman found himself in a difficult position considering his significant Jewish constituency. Initially, it was reported that he allowed his DSA membership to lapse and condemned the rally. However, in a recent turn of events, with his primary race approaching, Bowman met with DSA members on May 26 and clarified that he was still a member and had not let his dues lapse. This rekindling of ties with the DSA appears to be Bowman’s strategy as the primary election nears.
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) is making amends with the Democratic Socialists of America after he broke from the group following its response to the Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel.
The organization Bowman had attached himself to promoted a pro-Palestinian rally in which some participants praised the killing of 1,200 Israelis shortly after the attack. The event created an awkward relationship for Bowman, who has a large number of Jewish constituents.
Not only did Bowman condemn the rally, but his office said he had let his membership with the DSA lapse.
However, Bowman rekindled his alliance with the DSA less than a month away from his seat’s primary race. Bowman met with members of the DSA on May 26 and stated that he “was still a member.”
“I’m still a member,” Bowman said in a recording of the meeting, according to the New York Times. “I didn’t let my dues lapse.”
Bowman said the reason he had shared this information with his constituents was because he thought it would help with his reelection chances.
“Media has a tendency to talk about BS and not focus on the race, and we wanted to make sure we were focusing on our race at that time and getting reelected,” he said.
However, according to Bowman’s campaign manager, Bowman had stopped paying his dues to the DSA around 2021 due to clashes with the organization over his pro-Israel policies. Bowman had voted in favor of supporting Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, and he had traveled to Israel with the pro-Israel nonprofit organization J Street.
While Bowman has distanced himself from the DSA, he has been a strong voice in criticizing Israel’s strikes in Gaza. Bowman has accused Israel of committing “genocide” and has called on lawmakers to stop supplying Israel with military weapons.
Bowman’s stance has caught the attention of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a lobbying group that has spent millions of dollars in an effort to defeat him.
With a large Jewish population in his district, Bowman has turned back to the DSA, showing his support for ending funds for the Iron Dome and favoring the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement.
“We have a common enemy right now, which is AIPAC, so let’s form Voltron and destroy them,” Bowman said.
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Bowman is facing off against George Latimer, county executive of Westchester County, who has received the endorsement of multiple Jewish organizations. AIPAC has raised $1.61 million for Latimer, the most money it has raised for any congressional candidate.
“In our democracy, truth still matters, and Mr. Bowman needs to explain why he keeps relying on falsehoods to justify his reelection,” Latimer told the New York Times.
The primary election will be held on June 25.
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