B’nai B’rith International has issued the following statement:

B’nai B’rith International condemns the comments of Oklahoma State Rep. Dennis Johnson, when, during a debate on the merits of small business, he said about customers: “…they might try to Jew me down on a price…”

His highly offensive comments were only reinforced moments later when he was prompted to offer an apology. After someone in the chamber pointed out his remarks were offensive, he gave a flippant comment: “I apologize to the Jews…they’re good small businessmen as well.”

Johnson is an elected official. We should expect more from our leaders than the perpetuating of offensive stereotypes. Such odious canards are divisive and should not be tolerated or shrugged off.