Apr 24th, 2003, 01:47 PM
Jewish Groups Blast Moran for Comments
Jewish organizations condemned Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.) today for delivering what they said were anti-Semitic remarks at an anti-war forum in Reston, in which he suggested that American Jews are responsible for pushing the country to war with Iraq and that Jewish leaders could prevent war if they wanted.
Ronald Halber, executive director of the Jewish Community Council of Washington, which represents 210 organizations, called Moran's statement "reprehensible and anti-Semitic," while David Bernstein, spokesman for the American Jewish Committee said his statement was "anti-Semitic in effect if not in intent."
Rabbi Jack Moline, head of the conservative Agudas Achim Congregation of Alexandria, said Moran's remarks echoed a history of "the most scandalous rhetoric of the last century" singling out Jewish influence and blaming it for foreign policy.
"We believe that such remarks about any minority group in America, whether African-Americans, Hispanics, Muslims or others, are beyond inappropriate in the rhetoric of a member of Congress," Moline wrote with the rabbis of five other congregations in demanding Moran's immediate resignation.
"A world-class congressional district calls for a world-class congressman. When we have to be constantly embarrassed in the way we are ... it's time to think about a change," Moline, one of Moran's earliest and staunchest defenders in the local Jewish community, said in an interview.
Sophie R. Hoffman, president of the Jewish council, said Moran's apology was inadequate, and added that polls show that the opinion of American Jews about the war are not far out of line from attitudes by the rest of the public, and that some strong anti-war voices are Jewish.
"In a recognizable pattern, when Moran realized just how outrageous his remarks were, he attempted to back pedal, saying he didn't mean what he clearly said," Hoffman said. "This time it just won't work."
State Sen. Janet D. Howell (D-Fairfax), an 11-year incumbent from Reston, said Moran's remarks were "inexcusable and intolerable."
"For the congressman to scapegoat and blame the Jewish community for the impending war is intolerable. Whether we suport or oppose the war, we must respect all religious communities," Howell said. "There is no question that responsible Democratic leaders should distance themselves from him."
Jewish leaders tell Moran to quit
By Mary Shaffrey
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Jewish leaders in Northern Virginia are calling on U.S. Rep. James P. Moran to resign as a result of comments he made last week questioning the influence of the Jewish community in American politics.
Jewish Guilt
Proponents of appeasing dictators also scapegoat Jews; so what else is new?
(from the national Review on line)
By Clifford D. May
What do Sen. Carl Levin, author Michael Lerner, activist Phyllis Bennis, opinion journalist Bruce Shapiro, and civil-rights advocate Michael Ratner have in common? All are among the veritable phalanx of liberal Jews who are at the forefront of the movement to stop President Bush from using military force to topple dictator Saddam Hussein.
So how is it that Rep. James Moran (D., Va.) can think, much less say: "If it were not for the strong support of the Jewish community for this war with Iraq, we would not be doing this."?
Jewish Group Presses Congressional Black Caucus on Moran
B’nai B’rith today issued the following letter to the Honorable Elijah E. Cummings, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus:
March 14, 2003
Dear Chairman Cummings:
We write to you today in the spirit of an historic legacy -- that of African American-Jewish cooperation. Even before Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. marched on Washington flanked by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, our respective communities intuitively understood that common challenges make us natural partners – allies in our "otherness."
As you know, the Jewish community was shocked and appalled by Representative James P. Moran’s recent accusation that American Jews are responsible for plunging this country into an unnecessary war with Iraq.
Moran for Lieberman? Widely criticized in Jewish community, congressman may endorse senator
by Eric Fingerhut
Staff Writer, Washington Jewish week
Six weeks after drawing the ire of the American Jewish community with remarks many perceived as blaming Jews for the war in Iraq, Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) says he is likely to back the only Jew in the 2004 Democratic presidential race, Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.).
"I've always supported Joe," said Moran in an interview at press time Tuesday, citing the personal friendship the two have forged through their involvement in the Democratic Leadership Council and the New Democrat Network, two organizations that represent the moderate wing of the party. "He's the one I know best."
A Lieberman adviser was less than enthused about Moran's championing of Lieberman.
Etc, etc, etc.
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