Tensions ran high during a Wednesday night debate between New York Republican Rep. Michael Lawler and ex-Democratic Congressman Mondaire Jones — as the two clashed over opposing views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Jones, during the CBS News showdown, was pressed about previously supporting a plan of having Israel relinquish land it seized after being attacked by Arab states in the 1967 war — which the Jewish State won.
Jones said there has to be a “two-state solution” between Israel and Palestinians, adding “Part of that has to include a kind of land swap.”
He said settlement expansion in the West Bank “was inappropriate” under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and that those settlements should be dismantled.
Lawler shot back, “Are you out of your mind? You’re talking about land swaps?”
The freshman congressman said he opposed pressuring Israel to relinquish land.
Lawler argued that a peaceful two-state solution is a pipe dream until surrounding Arab countries officially recognize the Jewish State — particularly Saudi Arabia.
Only then can there be any discussion of a two-state Israeli-Palestinian solution.
The two are vying for the House seat in the 17th House District in the lower Hudson Valley covering Rockland and Putnam counties and parts of Westchester and Dutchess counties. The district has a significant Jewish, pro-Israel constituency.
During the one-hour debate, Lawler and Jones repeatedly talked over each other amid name-calling.
Lawler called Jones a “socialist” and Jones called the congressman a “mini-fascist.”
“If it talks like a socialist, votes like a socialist. Folks, it’s a socialist,” said Lawler, who sought to paint Jones as a radical leftist.
Jones linked Lawler to former President Donald Trump, the Republican White House nominee.
Both candidates were asked to respond to former Trump chief of staff John Kelly claiming in interviews that Trump was a “fascist” who wanted the US military leadership to be like “Hitler’s generals.”
Jones said of Lawler, “If it talks like a fascist, supports a fascist for president …It’s a mini-fascist.”
Lawler, when asked about Kelly’s comments, said he would “condemn any remarks” promoting Hitler or fascism.
Jones responded, “It’s a disgrace for Mike Lawler to continue to support this guy.”
Lawler is seeking a second term after defeating ex-Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney in 2022.
Jones, who was elected to the 17th District in 2020, declined to seek re-election after redistricting changed the district and would have pitted him against fellow Democrat Maloney.
He instead ran in the 10th District covering lower Manhattan and brownstone Brooklyn two years ago, losing to Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman in the Democratic primary.
The ex-congressman is now running for his old seat against Lawler.