New York – As Republicans and Democrats continue to spar over the nomination of former Nebraska Republican Senator Chuck Hagel for the Secretary of Defense post, Democratic Assemblyman Dov Hikind of Brooklyn is calling on the United States Senators from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to oppose Hagel’s nomination and prevent his appointment.
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“Senator Hagel said Washington is fearful of a Jewish lobby; that he’s not a Senator of Israel. What kind of statements are these if not overtly anti-Semitic?” Hikind asked in a press release. “The former Senator’s posture towards Iran and terrorists is equally disturbing. He’s said he would talk to Hezbollah. He’s promoted talks with Hamas. These are terrorist outfits that boast of targeting civilians! Why not Al-qaeda, Mr. Hagel?” the Assemblyman added.
Hikind is strongly urging those who are equally concerned about Hagel’s nomination to contact their respective senators and make their objections known.
Following is the contact information for the Senators representing the Tri-State area:
New York
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer: (P) 202-224-6542; (F) 202-228-3027
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: (P) 202-224-4451; (F) 202-228-0282
New Jersey
U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg: (P) 202-224-3224; (F) 202-228-4054
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez: (P) 202-224-4744; (F) 856-546-1526
Connecticut
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal: (P) 202 224-2823; (F) 202-224-9673
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy: (P) 202-224-4041; (F) 202-228-9604
Sorry but this is america not israel. Why should he care about israel?.
The President has stated that Hagel shares his views on all strategic matters that come under the Secretary of Defense. He won the election and is entitled to the advisors of his choice. Hikind views the world through a one-dimensional prism of opposing just about anything that Obama supports. In the end, I suspect most the regional Senators will support the President’s choice and vote to confirm Hagel. The policy decisions are ultimately those of the President and any Secretaruy of Defense must share those views.
Political stupidity and looking for out his position without regard for any other Jew
I think he is upset that Obama didnt name him for the job. He is a Democrat and this president named a Republican, so he comes up with this bubbe-majse
Hikind is wring. Hagel was merely expressing that the U.S. has to put its interests first even if it is counter to the wishes of pro-Israel lobbyists. That is not a statement against Israel or anti-Semitic. It’s him reminding U.S. government decision-makers of their responsibilities and priorities.
To #5 - The fact of the matter is that there are not 6,000,000 Jews in the USA, nor are there even 5,000,000. Halachically speaking, there are probably no more than 4.5 million Jews in the USA. Nobody really knows the exactnumber, since religious affiliation is not requested on the census. There are many people in the USA, who have Jewish lineage, but because of intermarriage (having a non-Jewish mother) are technically not Jewish. For example, Monica Lewinsky’s mother is not Jewish, even though her father is. Hence, by Halachic standards, without a conversion, she is not Jewish. My point is that there are hundreds of thousands, of such individuals. There are also individuals who have never converted, but attend services. They may consider themselves Jewish, but in fact are not.
Hikind is 100% correct on this issue.
Placing America first for a secretary of defense is a given. That’s not the issue here though, the issue here is Hagel placing Israel last, e.g. wanting to open a dialog with hezbolla or/and hamas places Israel last, voting against sanctions on Iran, places Israel last, so on and so forth, and that’s the real problem.
Hikind is dead wrong as a Jew he should know better.
Hagel might be an anti-Semite but a Jew leading the campaign against a nominee by the president is a great Chilul Hashem and it brings out the inner antisemitic feelings by many Americans.Hagel is correct with many of his statements.He said” he is a US senator not an Israeli politician and AIPAC the Jewish lobby is leading Washington by its nose” Which politician isn’t shivering when hearing the word “AIPAC’?
Hey,Dov Hikind,stop with your Zionistic schtik and stick being an assemblyman.I didn’t vote for you to thumb your nose at the president of the USA.Yes,we have freedom of speech and you can say anything you want but as a religious Jew you should know better and don’t make us uncomfortable in the USA with chutzpah against the president.
Every Jew and wise non Jews should call their respective senators and raise the voce of opposition, Hikind is right.
Good for you ,Mr. Hikind. Mr. Hikind is right, as you’ll all learn the hard way. Obama is choosing him for a reason & we know who Obama really cares about.
Mr. Hikind is wasting all of his political ammunition on this fruitless venture.
Hagel’s opinions are out of sync with those of the US generally, including those of this administration. Obama is appointing an anti-Israel SecDef to show American Jews that he can keep them under his thumb.
“He won the election and is entitled to the advisors of his choice. “
Not according to the Constitution, if that matters.