NY ‘Squad’ Rep. Jamaal Bowman finally apologizes for denying Hamas rape atrocities on Oct. 7
“Sorry” may not be enough to save him.
Embattled “Squad” Rep. Jamaal Bowman apologized at long last this week for initially claiming that reports of rape and child murder during Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attack against Israel were a “lie.”
“Immediately when the [United Nations] provided additional evidence, I voted to condemn the sexual violence. I apologize for my comments,” Bowman said Monday during a WNYC interview after a listener pressed him on the matter.
“As soon as I got the additional information from the UN, we condemned the sexual violence, we voted to condemn it, and we’re continuing to do the work.”
Speaking during an anti-Israel rally in White Plains last Nov. 17, Bowman said: “There was propaganda used at the beginning of the siege.
“There’s still no evidence of beheaded babies or raped women, but they still keep using the lie,” Bowman said, according to video posted to TikTok and first reported by Politico.
Bowman, 48, is facing off against Westchester County Executive George Latimer, 70, in the June 25 primary for the 16th House District, which covers much of Westchester and parts of the northern Bronx.
The race has shattered records as the most expensive House primary ever in terms of ad spending, with more than $23 million doled out for TV, radio, digital and social media spots.
A recent Emerson College/WPIX poll showed Bowman trailing Latimer by 17 points — 48% to 31% — among likely primary voters, with 21% undecided.
Pro-Israel activists accused Bowman of spreading Hamas propaganda by denying atrocities against Israeli women and children during the Oct. 7 attack, which killed an estimated 1,200 people — including 33 Americans.
While Bowman had had walked back his November comments previously, Monday marked the first time the two-term congressman issued a humble mea culpa.
“I am not going to be perfect. I’m going to make mistakes. I’m going to say things that harm people, even though I don’t mean to. When I do, I’m going to take accountability for it. I’m going to own it,” he said on WNYC.
“I want to learn and grow and be the best representative I can be. That’s who my mother raised me to be, that’s who I was as an educator, and that’s who I am now.”
Latimer and pro-Israel activists said Bowman’s apology was “too little, too late”.
“Denying rape is wrong, period. Denying the barbaric beheading of babies is wrong, period. Calling rape victims liars is wrong, period,” the Latimer campaign said in a statement Thursday.
“And Bowman apologizing for his lies six months later, and only because he is now on the verge of getting tossed out of office, speaks volumes about his lack of decency and compassion. It’s not just a matter of his `apology being too little, too late’ — it’s that no one believes Bowman because he has proven he will say anything, no matter how dishonest, cruel, or divisive, to try to stay in power.”
The Democratic Majority for Israel, which is backing Latimer and released a digital ad accusing Bowman of lying on other issues, also mocked the congressman’s “half-hearted” apology.
“Congressman Jamaal Bowman has flip-flopped again. Bowman falsely labeled the savage sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas ‘propaganda.’ Now, on the eve of an election he’s losing, Bowman makes a halfhearted apology,” said DMFI president Mark Mellman
“Way too little. Way too late.”
Meanwhile, Bowman is trying to connect with younger voters, making an appearance Wednesday night on CBS’ “Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” during which he discussed hip-hop as well as the war in the Middle East.
Bowman said he immediately condemned the Hamas Oct. 7 attacks on Israel as a “horrific” but described Israel’s retaliatory response in Gaza as “collective punishment”, and called for a permanent cease-fire,” saying: “We’ve got to put the guns down.”
The congressman is also scheduled to appear with rapper Cash Cobain Thursday night at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester.
The Emerson/PIX/The Hill poll found Bowman leading Latimer among voters under 40, 44% to 35%, while older voters broke for the Westchester executive by double-digits.
