Valatie, NY – In a debate hosted by WAMC and WNYT held this past Monday the 22nd, Antonio Delgado proclaimed that Israel is not a Jewish Democracy. The next night (23rd) at a debate hosted by Spectrum, Antonio Delgado attempted to walk back his comments following push back. However, contrary to what candidate Delgado says now, in February of this year he also espoused the same anti-Israel position.
The reaction from prominent officials and media observers has been forceful.
Former Democratic National Committee Chair Donna Brazile
“Even former Democratic National Committee chairwoman Donna Brazile rebuked Delgado…”
- “I am an avid and strong supporter of Israel,” she told JNS. “Israel is our ally and a democratic state, as in small ‘d.’ ”” (Jewish News Syndicate, 10/25/18)
Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz
“The statement reflects abysmal historical ignorance. Israel offered the Palestinians a state in 2000-01. It ended the occupation of Gaza in 2005. It offered a state in 2008. The Palestinians said no. Now they won’t even negotiate,” Alan Dershowitz, constitutional law scholar and professor of law, emeritus at Harvard University Law School, told JNS. “Israel is a democracy, just like the U.S…”(Jewish News Syndicate, 10/25/18)
Former George W. Bush White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer
“Antonio Delgado’s remarks are offensive and deeply troubling. Israel is America’s best friend in the Middle East and it is a thriving democracy. Delgado’s statement makes it clear that if he is elected, he will be an anti-Israel voice in the US Congress.” (Ari Fleischer, RJC, 10/25/18)
Malcolm Hoenlein, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, told JNS that Delgado’s attitude provides a stark reminder for the Jewish and pro-Israel community.
- “Mr. Delgado demonstrated a clear lack of understanding and knowledge of Israeli democracy and laws. He repeated that it was ‘not a Jewish democracy’ several times, but did not explain that term,” said Hoenlein. “We have to do a better job educating candidates about the realities of Israel’s situation, history, society and the complex challenges it faces as a democracy fighting for its existence.” (Jewish News Syndicate, 10/25/18)
Jewish Democratic Political Operative
“I thought the new Democratic Jewish outfit was going to fight for candidates ‘who share our positions and values’?” said one Jewish democratic operative tracking the race. “How can they still proud of their support for Antonio Delgado as a ‘a strong voice for Jewish and Democratic values’ after he said Israel ‘is not a Jewish democracy’?” (Washington Free Beacon, 10/25/18)
- “Same old, same old. Just an NJDC reboot,” said the source, referring to the JDCA’s predecessor, the National Jewish Democratic Council, which was forced to shutter its operations after running out of money and support. (Washington Free Beacon, 10/25/18)