Florida State Senator and Republican congressional candidate Randy Fine made headlines on Tuesday after threatening Democratic Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar with what he called the “Hebrew Hammer,” suggesting the two progressive lawmakers should leave Congress if he is elected.
“The Hebrew Hammer is coming,” Fine, who is Jewish, wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Tlaib and Omar might consider leaving before I get there.” His comments came in response to an endorsement from the Republican Jewish Coalition of Fine’s campaign for Florida’s 6th Congressional District.
Tlaib, the first Palestinian American woman elected to Congress, and Omar, a Somali American Muslim, have been outspoken critics of U.S. policy in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly following the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Both have shown strong support for Palestinians in the wake of the violence, which has drawn sharp criticism from many pro-Israel groups.
Fine, a staunch advocate for Israel, has previously made inflammatory statements regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His comments have earned him backlash, including a controversial post earlier this year following the death of a Turkish American activist at the hands of Israeli forces in the West Bank. Fine’s post, which said, “Throw rocks, get shot. One less Muslim terrorist. Fire Away,” was widely condemned.
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In 2019, Fine faced further controversy after calling a Jewish constituent who supported a Palestinian-focused forum a “Judenrat”—a term used during the Holocaust to describe Jews who collaborated with Nazi authorities. His inflammatory remarks on social media have fueled ongoing criticism.
Fine’s comments come as he officially launched his campaign for Florida’s 6th Congressional District. The seat, currently held by Rep. Mike Waltz, will be up for grabs as Waltz is set to leave Congress to serve as National Security Advisor under President-elect Donald Trump. Fine’s candidacy has received direct support from Trump, who publicly encouraged him to run for the seat.
While Fine’s comments have stirred controversy, they highlight the growing political divides over U.S. policy toward Israel and the broader Middle East, with Fine positioning himself as a hardline pro-Israel voice in contrast to Tlaib and Omar’s more critical stance.
