B’nai B’rith International is deeply concerned that the leadership of the Democratic Party is favoring Rep. Keith Ellison to chair the Democratic National Committee. We believe his views on Israel are beyond the mainstream.

In their letter to Sen. Charles Schumer about the matter, President Gary P. Saltzman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin write: “We feel that Congressman Ellison’s votes and statements on Israel represent a point of view that is too extreme to make him an effective leader of a party with a storied pro-Israel tradition.”

The letter goes on to note: “Congressman Ellison was one of just eight members of the House of Representatives to vote against funding for Iron Dome, a missile shield that has proved crucial in protecting the lives of Israeli civilians against rocket attacks. He voted ‘present’ on a resolution affirming Israel’s right to defend itself from such terrorist strikes. And he authored a House letter to President Obama urging him to pressure Israel to open the Gaza border in the face of Hamas’ ongoing campaign to stock weapons and build terrorist tunnels.”​