A group of 347 rabbis signed a letter pushing back on Sen. Bernie Sanders’s “outrageous comment” about the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
Sanders announced on Saturday he would not be attending the annual AIPAC conference and said the organization, which is supported by lawmakers of both parties, gives a platform “for leaders who express bigotry.” The rabbis responded in their letter this week, rejecting the Vermont senator’s accusation that AIPAC has a history of “fostering bigotry.”
“Through AIPAC, we lobby Congress to support our democratic ally and strengthen the long-standing bipartisan support for a partnership that benefits both nations,” they wrote with regard to Israel.
“We’ve seen presidents and prime ministers, members of Congress and members of Knesset, policy analysts and military experts, religious leaders and cultural icons, from across the political spectrum address the conference,” the letter continued. “We embrace the opportunity to be challenged to think constructively, and appreciate that people on the other end of the political divide are doing this sacred work alongside us.”
AIPAC also hit back at Sanders, who is Jewish, and said his “odious attack” on the organization was “truly shameful.”
Sanders has been a fierce critic of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and at Tuesday’s Democratic debate labeled him a “reactionary racist.” He also said he would reconsider the decision to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem if elected president.
“I am very proud of being Jewish. I actually lived in Israel for some months,” the 2020 Democrat said. “But what I happen to believe is that right now, sadly, tragically, in Israel, through Bibi Netanyahu, you have a reactionary racist who is now running that country.”
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is also Jewish, announced on Tuesday that he will be attending AIPAC’s annual conference, which is set to take place in Washington from March 1-3.
