PALM BEACH COUNTY (VINnews) – In what critics are denouncing as an antisemitic attack on support for the Jewish state, Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback on Monday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Mike Caruso, demanding divestment from $1 billion in Israel bonds or face removal from office.
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Fishback, who has a history of harsh criticism of Israel including labeling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an “immoral war criminal” and accusing Israel of “genocide” in Gaza, targeted Caruso during a public event in Palm Beach County.
“Mike Caruso, I am here in Palm Beach County to deliver you one final and clear warning,” Fishback declared. “You have 48 hours to divest the billion dollars you gave to Netanyahu, or I will use Article 4, Section 7 of the Florida Constitution to remove you for malfeasance from office.”
The remarks come after Caruso announced in early January that Palm Beach County had purchased an additional $350.5 million in Israel bonds, bringing its total holdings to $1 billion and positioning the county as the world’s largest holder of such instruments. Caruso has defended the investment on purely financial grounds, projecting $47.2 million in interest income over the next three years while stressing safety, liquidity and strong returns for taxpayers.
Critics, including Jewish community leaders and pro-Israel advocates, condemned Fishback’s language and tactics as crossing into antisemitism by singling out Israel for political pressure, invoking inflammatory references to Netanyahu personally, and threatening an elected official for supporting a legitimate investment vehicle that aids the Jewish state. Fishback has previously pledged, if elected governor, to force statewide divestment from Israel bonds and redirect funds elsewhere, a move opponents say unfairly discriminates against the world’s only Jewish nation.
Fishback’s broader platform includes rejecting donations from pro-Israel groups like AIPAC and shifting from prior support for Israel to sharp condemnation of its defensive actions following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.
Legal experts note that Article IV, Section 7 of the Florida Constitution grants the governor authority to suspend certain officials for malfeasance, with Senate confirmation possible for removal — not a power directly wielded by a gubernatorial candidate through public threats. No immediate response from Caruso’s office was available Tuesday evening.
The Israel bonds investment has drawn both praise for its performance and backlash from anti-Israel activists. Supporters emphasize that the bonds are standard investment tools, not foreign aid, and have historically provided competitive yields.
Fishback’s aggressive rhetoric has intensified concerns within Florida’s large Jewish community about rising antisemitism masked as political discourse in the 2026 Republican primary for governor.
VINnews will continue to monitor reactions and developments in this story.
May he die a slow painful death amen
Throw the FISH Back in the ocean!
2 Jew haters running for office in Fla. Think again if you believe Fla is the new Jerusalem.
With eirev rav reshaim bros like this, who needs enemies?
Frightening, especially the applause sounds like 1930s.
Hashem yishmor!
Throw the fish back into the ocean
So republicans (even in Florida) are competing with liberals like AOC & Talib who can be a bigger Jew hater
Stage four cancer for ALL JEW HATERS
Fishback is a Roman Catholic
Fishback ought to be called Fishbrain. At this time, Israel bonds are outperforming others significantly.
He should divest completely from everything Israel has created – no cellphones or medications for him. No apps, software or computer hardware developed there. No food, or drink products from there. Once he has done all that for himself, then he can come back and talk.
lost my vote forever
He should Join the neutra karta
THIS FROM WIKIPIDIA
Foreign policy
Fishback has pledged to refuse campaign donations from organizations affiliated with foreign countries, specifically naming the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).[85] He has condemned both the October 7 attacks[86] and Israel’s handling of the Gaza war,[38] labeling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an “immoral war criminal”.[87] Fishback has stated that he previously supported Israel but changed his views after witnessing bombings on the Holy Family Church and the Gaza genocide.[86] He has pledged to direct all Florida government entities to divest from Israel Bonds if elected, and reinvest the funds into statewide housing assistance.[88] He has also criticized politicians for visiting Israel and kissing the “stupid” Western Wall.[56]
His name should be fishface more appropriate…lowlife dope
Is he Jewish?
You see he is a republican. Stop it with party affiliations.
Has anyone checked the polls? This guy has 4% support. He’s not winning.
Aaliyah now. Bye bye. USA