This one from the Republican Jewish Coalition – as follows:
Republican Jewish Coalition | 50 F Street, NW | Suite 100 | Washington | DC | 20001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Suzanne Kurtz or Stu Sandler
Office: 202-638-6688; 202-368-6465 (cell)E-mail: skurtz@rjchq.org
Bonior Joins Obama Team as Latest
Anti-Israel Campaign Official
Washington, D.C. (May 30, 2008) – The Republican Jewish Coalition today
responded to the announcement that former Rep. David Bonior will be representing the Obama campaign at the Democratic National Committee meeting this weekend in Washington, D.C. As a Congressman, David Bonior was known for his strong opposition to pro-Israel policies, being called by some “the biggest supporter of the anti-Israel Arab lobby in Congress.”[1] The RJC cited Bonior as the latest in a string of advisors and campaign officials to Barack Obama that harbor anti-Israel views.“Barack Obama’s path to strengthening ties with the Jewish community is severely blocked when appointing an anti-Israel figure like David Bonior. While in Congress, Bonior refused to stand by Israel after repeated terrorist attacks, was known as a stalwart opponent to Israel, and is now a representative for Barack Obama. Bonior’s appointment is the latest in a series that raises serious questions and doubts about Barack Obama’s positions and judgments on the Middle East.”
During his Congressional career, David Bonior repeatedly opposed pro-Israel legislation. In 1997, David Bonior was one of 15 Congressmen who signed a letter asking then-President Clinton to pressure Israelis into making concessions to the Palestinians. In 2002, David Bonior was one of only 21 Congressmen who opposed H.R. 392, which publicly affirmed Congress’s support of Israel’s right to self-defense and called for the dismantling of the Palestinian terrorist infrastructure.[2] In 1990, David Bonior was one of only 34 Congressman to vote against a measure naming Jerusalem as the united capital of Israel.[3] In 1989, Bonior was one of six House members to vote against a bill that prevented US funds from going to UN entities that granted the PLO membership.[4] Throughout his career, Bonior repeatedly opposed US aid to Israel and supported arms sales to Arab states opposed to Israel’s existence.
“The appointment of yet another anti-Israel advisor like David Bonior to represent Barack Obama speaks volumes to the Jewish community. The pattern
including Tony McPeak, Zbigniew Brzezinski, and Robert Malley continues with
this appointment. It’s no wonder the Jewish community remains deeply skeptical and troubled by Barack Obama.”[1] Jonathan Tobin, Jewish World Review, 7/12/99.
[2] H.R. 392, “Expressing Solidarity with Israel in its Fight
against Terrorism”, May 2002, 352-21 (29 voting present).[3] H.R. 290, “In support of a unified Jerusalem”, Apr. 1990,
378-34 (6 voting present).[4] H.R. 2145, “Prohibiting US Contributions to the United
Nations Under Certain Condititons”, May 1989, 396-6 (11 voting present).
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I’ve received this email twice since midnight. Former Rep. David Bonior was John Edward’s Campaign Manager and just recently endorsed Barack Obama. His anti-Israel creds are debatable, and are not at all readily apparent. To understand the way a politician votes, one must listen to their rationale. A vote against the Patriot Act, after all, does not make one unpatriotic – no matter how desperately the legislation’s authors wish to frame it as such.
One thing you might have missed if all you read was this press release – Barack Obama’s Campaign had TWO representatives at the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee Meeting – and the other one was none other than Rep. Wexler – an adamantly Pro-Israel Jewish Congressman from Florida.
And in the end, Boinor was not chosen to represent Obama at an Arab-Israel Peace Summit. He went to represent him at a DNC Committee Meeting to determine the outcome of the Florida and Michigan Delegation issue. Boinor. and indeed NONE of the names mentioned by this Republican Jewish committee advise Obama in any manner whatsoever on Middle East Issues. His Middle East Policy team has been microscopically vetted, and meets the approval of the nation’s most ardent Israel supporters, including Congressmen Robert Wexler and Steven Rothman.
