New York, NY – Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY) continues to maintain a staunchly pro-Israel and anti-antisemitism stance, a position that has recently drawn scrutiny regarding his political motivations and endorsement decisions. This comes as a tweet from user Ben B (@dejo) on August 4, 2025, alleged that Torres's approach to combating antisemitism is "totally transactional," citing perceived differences between his personal and official social media accounts and his reluctance to explicitly endorse Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-NY).
Torres has consistently vocalized strong support for Israel and condemned antisemitism across various public platforms and legislative actions. His advocacy includes introducing legislation to monitor antisemitism in educational institutions and frequently speaking out against anti-Jewish bigotry, particularly following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. He has often positioned himself as a vocal defender of Israel within the Democratic Party.
The tweet specifically highlighted Torres's social media presence, stating, > "Look at the difference between Ritchie Torres's posts on his personal account @RitchieTorres vs. his official account @RepRitchie, and you'll understand how combating antisemitism is totally transactional to him." The author further suggested, > "He won't explicitly commit to not endorse Mamdani for a reason," referring to Representative Jamaal Bowman, with whom Torres has a well-documented political rivalry.
The conflict between Torres and Bowman largely stems from their divergent views on Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Bowman, a progressive Democrat, has taken positions that have been criticized by pro-Israel groups, leading to a strained relationship with Torres, who has publicly criticized Bowman's actions and statements. Torres has previously stated a general rule of not weighing in against a Congressional Democrat who has not weighed in against him, but has also hinted at reconsidering this stance in light of Bowman's criticisms.
While Torres has not explicitly endorsed Bowman's primary opponent, George Latimer, his public criticisms of Bowman and his consistent pro-Israel advocacy align with the tweet's implication of a lack of support for Bowman. This dynamic reflects broader divisions within the Democratic Party regarding Israel policy and the influence of pro-Israel lobbying efforts in congressional races. Torres has maintained that his support for Israel is rooted in conviction, not political calculation.