Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., “didn’t realize” a sign he was photographed holding contained the slogan for a pro-Palestinian movement, his office said Friday.
Booker held a sign that read “From Palestine to Mexico, all the walls have got to go,” as he was photographed with three other people at the Netroots Nation progressive political convention in New Orleans.
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A spokesman for Booker told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that Booker was caught in a rush of people asking for photos when he was handed the sign to hold.
“He didn’t have time to read the sign, and from his cursory glance he thought it was talking about Mexico and didn’t realize it had anything to do with Israel,” Jeff Giertz said in a statement.
“He hopes for a day when there will be no need for security barriers in the State of Israel, but while active terrorist organizations threaten the safety of the people living in Israel, security barriers are unfortunate but necessary to protect human lives,” the statement continued.
The photo was tweeted by U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights. The group, according to its website, aims “to stop US support for Israel until it ends its denial of Palestinian rights.”
Excited to be here at Netroots Nation talking with progressives like Sen. Cory Booker about our shared commitment to freedom, justice, and equality for all people. #NN18 pic.twitter.com/ljswLmv32w
— Palestinian Rights (@US_Campaign) August 3, 2018
