Westchester County Executive George Latimer, a moderate Democrat who defeated progressive Rep. Jamaal Bowman, believes that the Democratic Party’s voter base is largely pro-Israel. His victory in late June was a significant defeat for the left-wing of the Democratic Party, ending the most expensive primary election in U.S. history. The heated contest was a reflection of a wider rift within the party, exacerbated by Israel’s recent war in Gaza.
Latimer, in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, emphasized the strong support he received on issues like Israel during his election. “When I won the election in my area, they elected very strongly in favor of my position on a host of issues, Israel being one of them. And I do believe that reflects the broad base of the Democratic Party,” he stated.
He further explained that support for a democratic Israel is a cornerstone of the Democratic Party’s stance. “There are different voices in the party. And I think support for a democracy is the bedrock of our support for Israel. Can we negotiate a peaceful settlement over there? Yes. But, by and large, it’s not going to come by more violence, and the violence that Hamas did on Oct. 7 is the single biggest impediment to peace in the Middle East.”
Bowman, a vocal critic of Israel and part of a growing faction of Democrats critical of the U.S. government’s relationship with Israel, was backed by progressive figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The tensions escalated following Hamas’s terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s subsequent response.
Latimer, on the other hand, was supported by pro-Israel groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which contributed millions to his campaign. He also received endorsements from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and even one of Bowman’s own colleagues, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who is Jewish.
During the recent Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the party’s nomination, Latimer was among the hundreds of Democrats present. With thousands of anti-Israel protesters demonstrating in Chicago, Latimer expressed concern for the safety of those in higher office but stated that he was not worried about his own safety. He believes that Chicago has been effective in protecting those attending the convention.
Latimer concluded by suggesting that the protests, while significant, are unlikely to influence policy changes. He believes the release of Israeli hostages currently held by Hamas will ultimately determine the direction of policy regarding Israel. “But protests don’t change policy. That policy will change when the [Israeli hostages held by Hamas] are released,” he stated.
