‘Did Israel commit genocide?’: GOP hopeful for Florida governor pledges to protect critics of Israel

By Jacob Magid

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17 December 2025, 4:30 pm

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Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

A Republican candidate for governor of Florida has published a campaign ad pledging to protect the rights of those who criticize Israel.

“Is Netanyahu a war criminal? Did Israel commit genocide? If you say either of those statements in public, you could be convicted of antisemitism. Criticizing a foreign government or any government is always protected under our constitution. Our Founding Fathers fought and died for that right, and I’ll never let anyone steal it from you,” investment firm CEO James Fishback says in a video posted to social media.

“My name is James Fishback, and I’m running for Florida governor. Because Florida is our home, America is our birthright, and we can criticize whom we please,” he says at the end of the ad.

Fishback made some headlines earlier this week for praising supporters of the far-right activist Nick Fuentes, who regularly employs antisemitic and racist rhetoric.

While the 30-year-old Fishback is part of a crowded field of Republicans and is polling very far behind frontrunner US Rep. Byron Donalds, his decision to make criticism of Israel a central message of his campaign points indicates that such views are gradually taking hold in the GOP, particularly among its younger members.