World Jewish Congress President Ron Lauder said there’s an “unsettling change in support for Israel in the Democratic Party. Democrats were once Israel’s strongest supporters beginning with Harry Truman in 1948, but today polls show us that only 24 percent of Democrats side with Israel.”
WASHINGTON, DC (June 17, 2019) – Democratic Majority for Israel’s CEO and President Mark Mellman issued the following statement today:
“Mr. Lauder’s remarks are misleading and propagate a myth that damages the U.S.-Israel relationship. The vast majority of the 280 Democrats serving in the House and Senate and the 23 Democratic Governors have long pro-Israel records. They support a strong U.S.- Israel alliance, Israel’s right to defend itself, U.S. aid to Israel and a lasting peace through a two-state solution negotiated by Israelis and Palestinians.
“While some have expressed disagreements with certain policies of Prime Minister Netanyahu, as have many pro-Israel organizations in the U.S., one can be critical of the government’s policies and still be pro-Israel. After all, we Democrats are highly critical of President Trump and his polices, but remain staunchly pro-American.
“And, contrary to Mr. Lauder’s assertion, polls too reveal Democrats’ support for Israel. Gallup’s February survey, for example, shows nearly two-thirds of Democrats offering a favorable opinion of Israel.
“President Trump and other Republicans are using a few outliers in the Democratic Party to turn support for Israel into a wedge issue for partisan political purposes. That not only misrepresents reality, but also damages Israel by suggesting to its enemies that the U.S. is divided in its support for the Jewish state when, in fact, we are united.”
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