Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., a member of the far-left "Squad." (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc)
Latimer ripped Bowman's response, saying, "I think it is hate speech because I think it’s clear that ‘from the river to the sea’ has meant specifically the eradication of the Jewish population from the land of Israel."
Bowman said earlier in the debate he does believe in Israel's right to exist and supports a two-state solution, but his campaign has yet to respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment about his defense of the phrase that appears to run in contrast to his view.
"'From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free' is a rallying cry for terrorist groups and their sympathizers," according to the American Jewish Committee, a view echoed by other Jewish advocacy groups.
DEM MOCKED AS ‘BIGGEST LOSER’ AFTER SPENDING MILLIONS ON FAILED SENATE BID: ‘PATHETIC’
Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., (left) and Council on American-Islamic Relations co-founder Nihad Awad (right). (Getty Images)
Bowman has been a staunch critic of Israel, especially since the start of its ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza. Earlier this month, he attended a fundraiser co-hosted by an Islamic leader who said he was "happy to see" the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians.
Bowman didn't seem to mind the presence of Nihad Awad, a controversial and antisemitic figure who serves as the national executive director and co-founder of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, at the May 1 fundraiser at a private residence in Fairfax, Virginia.
Awad faced sharp scrutiny last year after expressing his pleasure with the Hamas attack that resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 Israelis, including women and babies, and claiming Israel "does not have a right to self-defense."
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Little polling has been done on the race, but Latimer maintains a slight fundraising advantage over Bowman, who was first elected to Congress in 2020.
The primary will be held Tuesday, June 25. The winner is expected to sail to victory in the November general election, considering election analysts rate the race as either "solid" or "safe" Democrat.
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Brandon Gillespie is an associate editor at Fox News. Follow him on X at @BGillespieAL.
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