Miami Candidates Defend Hardline Israel Stance Amid Election Turmoil

At a Jewish Community Center in Miami Beach on Wednesday, security guards in tactical gear screened voters and checked IDs, a visible sign of the tension surrounding the local House race. Inside, Rep. Jared Moskowitz and challenger Scott Singer addressed a crowd concerned about rising antisemitism and the state of U.S.-Israel relations. Both candidates defended their hardline support for the country, arguing that political changes in Jerusalem would not alter their approach on Capitol Hill.

The event took place against a backdrop of shifting power in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party appeared to be losing ground to the centrist Yashar party in parliamentary elections held that morning. The apparent rebuke comes amid international backlash against Israel's military campaigns in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, with the latter conducted jointly with President Donald Trump. These developments land just one week before U.S. midterm elections, where the alliance with Israel is a central campaign issue.

Moskowitz, a Democrat who has clashed with party colleagues over his pro-Israel voting record, insisted that his legislative record defines his stance. He stated, “Every single solitary thing you can think of when it comes to being pro-Israel, every piece of legislation has my name on it,” noting he authored or co-sponsored these bills. He attributed the growing negative sentiment in the U.S. to foreign influence, claiming, “There’s a psyop operation being run on the American people by the Chinese on TikTok, by the Russian bots.”

Singer, the former Boca Raton mayor, took a slightly different angle, suggesting that district voters prioritize American policy issues like tax relief and the cost of living over specific Israeli leadership changes. He emphasized the strategic necessity of the alliance, saying, “It’s in the United States’ interest to have a partnership for military and intelligence purposes with our strongest ally in the Middle East.”

The candidates sparred over their tactical approaches. Singer criticized Moskowitz for advocating a two-state solution after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, arguing that position undermined Israel’s security efforts. Moskowitz countered that Singer remained silent on antisemitic rhetoric from right-wing media figures. Despite these exchanges, both admitted to having little disagreement on the core issue, with Moskowitz noting, “We’re both very pro-Israel.”

With a week remaining until Election Day, polls indicate a tight contest in Florida’s 25th Congressional District, though some forecasters give Moskowitz a slight edge. The Congressional Leadership Fund, a House Republican-backed Super PAC, withdrew its funding from the race earlier in the month. Singer said his campaign has recouped those losses through support from groups including the Trump-tied No Going Back PAC and the NRCC. He told voters on Wednesday that he was confident in his ability to win, citing strong outreach efforts throughout the district.