Jamaal Bowman Faces Backlash from Jewish Allies Over Israel Views

Amidst Reelection Bid

Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) is facing backlash from Jewish allies over his views on Israel, potentially threatening his reelection bid. A group of local rabbis and pro-Israel groups have been actively opposing Bowman, citing his support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which aims to pressure Israel economically over its treatment of Palestinians.

Bowman's visit to the West Bank in 2021, where he met with Palestinian officials, has also drawn criticism from Jewish groups. They argue that it showed a bias towards the Palestinian perspective and undermines Israel's security. However, Bowman's supporters maintain that his views are in line with the values of social justice and equality, and that he supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The backlash from Jewish allies is seen as a significant challenge for Bowman, who was elected to Congress in 2020 after unseating longtime incumbent Eliot Engel. The New York district has a large Jewish population, and their support could be crucial in determining the outcome of the upcoming election.