James Fischback, a controversial political figure and former candidate for Florida governor, was forcibly removed from a Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday afternoon. His removal followed a vocal protest against the county's decision to expand its investments in Israel-backed bonds.
Protest at County Meeting
During his protest, Fischback challenged the commissioners directly:
"Do you serve the people of Hialeah or of Haifa? Do you serve the people of Aventura or of Tel Aviv? Do you serve the people of South Miami or of Jerusalem? This money should be invested here in this community. It should be invested in Miami-Dade County,"
he stated just before officers escorted him from the chamber.
This confrontation arose after the county commission's vote earlier this summer to increase its investment limit with Israel from 3% to 5% of its total portfolio. This change permits the county to allocate an additional $400 million to $450 million. The decision has faced opposition from individuals like Fischback, who argue against using public funds for investments in Israel, especially as the ongoing conflict in Gaza intensifies political divisions across the United States. Fischback has frequently used this platform to voice his objections to the nature of U.S.-Israel relations.
"What this is about, very simply, is whom do you serve?" Fischback emphasized.
Broader Public Concerns
Fischback's remarks were not the sole expressions of discontent regarding the portfolio adjustment. Other members of the public also conveyed disappointment that the county would commit public investment capital to Israel, given the politically charged environment surrounding its relationship with the U.S.
One woman, identified as Ivar Fandel, approached the podium wearing a shirt that read "let Gaza live." She asserted,
"Item 5B does exist in the context of a budget crisis as well as a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza at the hands of Israel,"
referring to the specific agenda item related to the county's investment alteration.
Fischback's Political History and Controversies
A Republican, Fischback has previously drawn national attention for his perspectives on race and has established a reputation for confrontational public appearances. He was one of 11 GOP candidates who sought to succeed outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis. In the August 18 primary, he secured 10.4% of the vote, though his campaign was largely noted for several inflammatory moments captured on camera.
In one notable instance, he repeatedly referred to Representative Byron Donalds, who was the frontrunner, eventual nominee, and one of the few Black Republicans in Congress, as a "slave" during a news conference.
"Byron Donalds is a slave. I’m sorry, he’s a slave. He is a slave to his donors. He is a slave to the corporate interests, to the tech bros that want to turn our state into, in his own words, a financial capital,"
Fischback declared.
He later confronted Donalds directly with a similar accusation, using a megaphone while surrounded by supporters as Donalds returned to his vehicle.
"You’re a DEI hire. You’re a slave. Go back to New York,"
Fischback shouted at the congressman.
Opposition to Foreign Government Investments
During his gubernatorial campaign, Fischback distinguished himself by declining contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and pledged to divest from Israel-backed bonds if elected.
He explained his stance in an interview with the American Conservative, stating,
"Florida has a specific policy. You’re not allowed to use taxpayer funds to buy foreign government bonds, with one exception: Israel. And so my premise is, first principles, we should not be lending taxpayer pensioner money to any foreign government."
Fischback also criticized several candidates, including Donalds, accusing them of what he termed a "singular allegiance" to Israel.
In a post on X, he wrote,
"I think people like Randy Fine and other AIPAC politicians have a singular allegiance. And that allegiance is to the best interests of Israel. The idea of saying ‘I am running to represent a foreign country’s interest in the United States Congress’ is preposterous. They’re buying allegiance."
