FLORIDA (VINnews) — Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback sparked outrage on the campaign trail after making dismissive comments about the Western Wall, one of Judaism’s holiest sites, while promoting his economic agenda.

At a gathering last night, Fishback told the crowd he would focus on bringing jobs to Florida rather than traveling abroad for ceremonial visits. “I will not visit the state of Israel,” he said. “I’d rather go to Brazil and other countries to bring jobs to Florida, and not visit countries just to kiss a stupid wall.”

James Fishback just made my blood boil. This should make your blood boil too.

He said he would not kiss a "stupid wall" in relation to the Kotel, the holiest site to the Jewish people.

Imagine if he called the most sacred site for Muslims, Christians or literally any other… https://t.co/F7wTc6a7lr

— Leo Terrell (@LeoTerrellDOJ) February 6, 2026

Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the United States Department of Justice Leo Terrell condemned the remarks. “James Fishback just made my blood boil. This should make your blood boil too,” Terrell tweeted. “Imagine if he called the most sacred site for Muslims, Christians, or literally any other religious group stupid. Visiting the Kotel and our allies in Israel was the highlight of my career! We must ALL call this out!”

Fishback, who has built much of his campaign by criticizing Israel and Jewish communities, has largely gone uncondemned, a fact that critics say is frustrating given the high-profile nature of his comments.