Former Florida candidate ejected from Miami-Dade meeting over Israel bond protest

James Fischback, who previously ran for Florida governor, was forcibly taken from a Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners meeting after he accused the body of serving foreign cities like Haifa and Jerusalem instead of local communities such as Hialeah and Aventura. His protest targeted a recent policy shift that increased the allowable share of Israel-backed bonds in the county’s portfolio from 3% to 5%, potentially allocating up to $450 million toward those securities.

Fischback, a Republican noted for incendiary statements and a refusal to accept AIPAC contributions, has used the issue to reinforce his broader opposition to U.S. support for Israel amid the Gaza conflict. Additional attendees, including a participant wearing a “let Gaza live” shirt, expressed similar concerns about the ethical implications of the investment. The county has not provided an immediate comment on the incident or the investment decision. Fischback’s removal underscores the heightened tension surrounding public financing choices linked to foreign policy debates.