Miami House Candidates Double Down on Israel Amid Netanyahu's Decline

In a shocking display of political loyalty, candidates in Florida's 25th Congressional District are doubling down on their pro-Israel stance as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a potential loss in parliamentary elections. The Likud party appears to be losing ground to the centrist Yashar party, raising questions about the future of Israel's ultra-nationalist leadership.

The backdrop of this electoral showdown is a growing international backlash against Israel, fueled by its military actions in Gaza and conflicts with Lebanon and Iran. This comes just before the U.S. midterm elections, where the Trump administration's ties to Netanyahu and the ongoing Iran war are pivotal issues.

At a recent event in Miami Beach, candidates Rep. Jared Moskowitz (R-Fla.) and former Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer made it clear that their support for Israel remains steadfast. Moskowitz proclaimed, “Every single solitary thing you can think of when it comes to being pro-Israel, every piece of legislation has my name on it.”

Security concerns loomed large at the forum, with attendees facing checkpoints and armed guards. The atmosphere reflected rising fears among Jewish communities regarding antisemitic rhetoric and threats from various political factions.

Moskowitz, who has faced criticism from Democrats for his unwavering support of Israel, dismissed the notion that changing perceptions of Israel among Americans were genuine. He claimed, “There’s a psyop operation being run on the American people by the Chinese on TikTok — by the Russian bots.”

Despite acknowledging that Israel might benefit from new leadership, Moskowitz asserted that this would not alter his approach to combating antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment in the U.S. He stated, “I think Israel could use a new face, but I don’t think that’s fundamentally going to change the antisemitism that we’re seeing.”

When asked if a shift away from Netanyahu's government would influence his stance on Capitol Hill, Moskowitz reiterated his support for Israel regardless of its leadership.

Singer refrained from commenting directly on the Israeli elections but emphasized that voters in his district prioritize American policy issues over foreign affairs. He stated, “It’s in the United States’ interest to have a partnership for military and intelligence purposes with our strongest ally in the Middle East.”

While Singer downplayed the importance of pro-Israel issues, he criticized Moskowitz for not being aggressive enough in supporting Jerusalem. He accused Moskowitz of advocating for a “two-state solution” following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, claiming it undermined Israel’s security.

Moskowitz countered by accusing Singer of remaining silent on antisemitic comments made by right-wing figures. Despite their back-and-forth exchanges, both candidates acknowledged their shared commitment to Israel. Moskowitz admitted, “I don’t know where we disagree. We’re both very pro-Israel.”

Singer praised Moskowitz’s pro-Israel record as “laudable,” highlighting the lack of significant policy differences between them.

As Election Day approaches, polls indicate a tight race in Florida’s 25th Congressional District, with some forecasts giving Moskowitz a slight advantage. The Congressional Leadership Fund recently withdrew its financial support from Singer’s campaign, suggesting GOP leadership may view it as a lost cause.

However, Singer expressed confidence in his campaign's resilience, noting that he had regained much of the funding lost after CLF's exit through investments from other groups like the Trump-affiliated No Going Back PAC and the NRCC.

“We’re going to do what we’ve done: Continue the strong outreach throughout this district to many groups,” Singer declared. “They know that one party is standing with Israel, and a lot of people are disappointed in Jared’s votes.”