Former Florida governor hopeful hauled out of county meeting after protesting Isarael investments

James Fischback, a former Florida gubernatorial candidate and controversial political figure, was forcibly removed from a Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners meeting Tuesday afternoon after protesting the county’s expanded investment in Israel-backed bonds.

“Do you serve the people of Hialeah or of Haifa? Do you serve the people of Aventura or of Tel Aviv? Do you serve the people of South Miami or of Jerusalem? This money should be invested here in this community. It should be invested in Miami-Dade County,” he added before officers escorted him from the room.

The confrontation comes after the county voted earlier this summer to raise its investment cap with Israel from 3% to 5% of its portfolio — a move that allows it invest upwards of about $400 million to $450 million. The change has drawn opposition from figures like Fischback critical of using public funds to invest in Israel as the war in Gaza continues to fuel political divisions in the U.S. It has also provided Fischback a platform to continue his opposition to U.S.-Israel ties.

“I think people like Randy Fine and other AIPAC politicians have a singular allegiance. And that allegiance is to the best interests of Israel. The idea of saying ‘I am running to represent a foreign country’s interest in the United States Congress’ is preposterous. They’re buying allegiance,” Fischback said in a post to X.

Fischback did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.