Aide to Rep. McKinney Accuses Jewish Lawmakers of “Conflict of Interest”
Listed in: Israel, Other Domestic Policy, NJDC News, Press Releases
NJDC: Aide's Comments "Recall the Most Vile anti-Semitic Canards"
Washington, DC: In a letter to the editor appearing in the November 28th edition of the Capitol Hill newspaper The Hill, Raeed Tayeh, an aide to Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA04), blasted Jewish lawmakers as "seem[ing] to care more about Israel than human rights and American values." The aide further wrote that the historic comprehensive peace settlement offered by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak at Camp David comprised nothing more than "an offer for a Swiss cheese state with no sovereignty, no rights in Jerusalem, and no rights for refugees to return to their homes in Israel." Perhaps most disturbing was the repeated attempts by the congressional staffer to question the loyalties of Jewish members of Congress. Tayeh concluded his letter by noting, "What is more disturbing to me is that many of these pro-Israeli lawmakers sit on the House International Relations Committee despite the obvious conflict of interest that their emotional attachments to Israel cause. The Israeli occupation of all territories must end, including Congress."
National Jewish Democratic Council Executive Director Ira N. Forman responded today in a letter to The Hill. The full text of the letter follows:
"With regard to Mr. Raeed Tayeh's letter of November 28th, in which he questions the loyalties of Jewish members of Congress, only a scoundrel and a bigot would choose to impugn a member's loyalty and commitment to this country based upon his or her ethnicity or religion. Accusing Jews of being disloyal to their country - due to their support for Israel and other central aspects of our faith - recalls the most vile anti-Semitic canards that have been invoked against Jews throughout the ages.
"These Jewish members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike, have pledged to uphold the Constitution and defend American interests, and it is shockingly inappropriate for this congressional staffer to make such base accusations. This country has fought too many wars to defeat this type of thinking. We as a nation have endured hundreds of years of struggle against raw bigotry and racism to largely banish this type of filth and relegate it to the extremes of our nation's discourse. Mr. Tayeh may be unfamiliar with this history, but I can assure him that enough of us remember it well, and we will not let such odious allegations stand without challenge.
"These Jewish lawmakers are among the finest public servants our country has to offer, fulfilling the ancient Jewish tradition of remaining civically engaged and serving the larger community. They demonstrate their continuous defense of America's interests every day with every vote they cast. And speaking out to ensure a safe and secure Israel - supporting America's democratic and strategic ally in the Middle East - only confirms their commitment to serving America's best interests.
"Either Mr. Tayeh shows an incredible lack of common sense by signing his letter as a member of a congresswoman's staff, thereby associating her name with such bigoted views, or Congresswoman McKinney has allowed her name to be associated with the cause of small-mindedness and religious bigotry."
