WASHINGTON (JTA) — Israel’s ambassador to Washington hosted a dinner for top Democrats.
The dinner at Michael Oren’s home Tuesday evening was to honor Tim Kaine, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who promoted ties with Israel when he served as Virginia governor from 2006 until this year.
Kaine is close to President Obama; the Obama administration has tried in recent weeks to end tensions with Israel sparked in early March when Israel’s government announced a major building start in eastern Jerusalem during a visit by Vice President Joe Biden.
Among the leading congressional Democrats on hand were U.S. Reps. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), the party’s whip and deputy whip. Oren plans to host a similar dinner for top Republicans.
