Black-Jewish relations on Capitol Hill have never been the easiest to maintain, and a hotly contested primary in Alabama and the volatile Israeli-Palestinian conflict are making things more tense than ever.
On the surface, Jewish and black members of Congress maintain a strong alliance that has its roots in the civil rights movement. Behind the scenes, however, groups and individual members are struggling to shore up what many say is a battered relationship.
The two issues come together in the case of Hilliard, who voted in the U.S. House of Representatives against resolutions expressing American solidarity with Israel and blaming Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat for violence in the region.
Jewish groups also point to Hilliard’s longtime voting record against Israel.
Jewish supporters have rallied behind challenger Artur Davis, a lawyer. Though Davis also is black, members of the Black Caucus see the rejection of the incumbent as a slap in the face.
Democratic activists say Jewish support simply is swinging to someone who will vote for Israel, especially during a period of crisis in the Middle East.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee notes that many caucus members have strong records on Israel.
“Some individuals have an interest in making a bigger issue out of the status of black-Jewish relations than what really exists,” one AIPAC official said.
A number of caucus members joined with Hilliard in voting against a House resolution backing Israel and condemning Palestinian suicide bombings.
But black and Jewish lawmakers often find themselves on the same side on many issues — such as housing, education, and gun control.
Indeed, it seems much of the problem is one of perception. Some black members believe Jewish representatives are not supportive of black candidates, and some do not seem to realize the importance of votes on Israel, said a senior staffer for a Jewish legislator.
Yet at the same time as Jewish and black lawmakers recognize that tensions are mounting, they also are sure relations will improve.
Signs of strain were evident at the Black/Jewish Congressional Awards Ceremony on Thursday, sponsored by the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, but lawmakers still spoke with optimism about the future.
Others predicted that the fissures in the black-Jewish relationship could widen if Davis emerges on top.
Like many others, Nadler promised there would be more meetings and private conversations among black and Jewish legislators.
But Hastings still has reservations about the repercussions of the Hilliard race. Asked Thursday about Jewish support for Davis, he said “I understand it, but I don’t like it.”
Rabbi Marc Schneier, who heads the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, said part of the problem is generational, as older black and Jewish members of Congress fought together in the civil rights movement and also understand the importance of support for Israel.
“We need to sensitize younger black members to our support for Israel and other issues of importance to the Jewish community,” he said.
Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, said the “eruptions of anger” from the black side come around election time, but that the Jewish community has a right to be upset with candidates who do not support Israel.
When legislators vote against Israel, “The Jewish community feels the same way, whatever their color,” Foxman said.
Most members of the Black Caucus understand that, Foxman said, but they have to convince others.
The ADL is meeting with members of the caucus, as well as other black and Jewish legislators, so “this does not become a crisis,” Foxman said.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
