The chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee called the Republican Jewish Coalition “shameful” for the way the group has tried to use Israel “as a wedge issue.”
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said the organziation was breaking with a tradition “that has united Democrats and Republicans since Harry Truman.” He spoke at a reception for members of Congress at the National Jewish Democratic Council’s Washington Conference.
Van Hollen did come under criticism from pro-Israel constituents in his suburban Washington, D.C. district two years ago after he wrote a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telling her she should have told Israel to limit its attacks during the Lebanon War – although he also said that Israel was “justified” in defending itself against Hezbollah.
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