New York congressman Jamaal Bowman in a "recap" newsletter to constituents did not mention Hamas's terrorist attack against Israel, with the Democrat instead opting to tout his work to end fossil fuels and create a "revolution in public education."
In the newsletter, which Bowman sent via email Wednesday to his constituents in New York's 16th Congressional District, the Democrat noted his participation in the "March to End Fossil Fuels," calling climate change "a threat to us all." He also touted his "Green New Deal for Public Schools" bill, which he said would combat the "climate crisis" and bring a "revolution in public education." Bowman did not, however, mention Israel or Hamas's attack—though he did wish his district's "Jewish community a happy, healthy, and sweet new year."
"Let's all join in reflection on how we can build a more peaceful and equitable world," the newsletter says.
Bowman's omission comes as the Democrat faces criticism in his district—which has a substantial Jewish population—over his stances toward the Jewish state. Bowman earlier this year opposed a House resolution that rejected the characterization of Israel as a racist state, and he subsequently boycotted Israeli president Isaac Herzog's congressional address. Bowman was also 1 of 13 congressional Democrats who did not co-sponsor a bipartisan resolution to stand with Israel following Hamas's terrorism.
Sharon Shire, a registered Democrat who lives in Bowman's district, called the congressman's failure to include Israel in the newsletter "shocking."
"The newsletter is shockingly silent about the attack on Israel, the worst attack in Israel's history and one of the most gruesome barbaric unfathomable incidents," Shire told the Washington Free Beacon. "And it's very disappointing."
Bowman's office, which did not return a request for comment, sends constituents a monthly "recap" newsletter, which it typically posts on its website on the last day of every month. Bowman's September "recap," however, went out to constituents on Wednesday, days after Hamas launched its terrorist assault against Israel, an email reviewed by the Free Beacon shows. Bowman's office has not posted its latest recap on its website.
Bowman did refer to other events that occurred in October in his latest recap, such as an Oct. 12 school safety virtual town hall, which he encouraged his constituents to attend.
Bowman is not the only Democrat to face criticism for failing to mention Israel in post-attack statements. Michigan Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer faced a call to resign after she issued a statement on Hamas's terror attack that omitted the Jewish state altogether.
"I have been in touch with communities impacted by what's happening in the region," Whitmer said. "It is abhorrent. … We need peace in this region."