That is, to me, as core to my values as anything I could imagine, and I would like people in that homeland to live in peace, which is why I believe there needs to be a structural solution with a two-state solution.”ĭe Blasio’s efforts to clarify his comments come as he seeks to shore up support from Jewish community leaders in Brooklyn, particularly in the heavily Orthodox Brooklyn neighborhood of Borough Park, which sits in the new 10th District. “Israel is a response to two millennia of state-sponsored violence against the Jewish people in multiple continents, and so when you think about that history, and you say, ‘OK, now a homeland is created to address that history,’ that’s inherently progressive. “I believe Israel is a progressive idea, because it is the expression of that core progressive value of stopping oppression, discrimination, bigotry and violence,” he added.

I think we have to protect Israel.”ĭe Blasio insisted that he “can simultaneously be a very proud progressive and a very proud supporter of Israel and opponent of BDS,” using the abbreviation for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement targeting the Jewish state.

From my understanding, Nina Turner thinks aid should be conditioned. “I believe in supporting Israel and providing the defense support that Israel needs. “From my point of view, I know what I believe in,” de Blasio continued in a phone conversation. “That doesn’t mean I agree with every statement that she’s made.” But I also have real personal loyalty to Nina Turner as a friend,” he explained. I have a tremendous sense of personal loyalty to the State of Israel and support for the State of Israel. “I have a tremendous sense of personal loyalty to the Jewish community.

In an interview with Jewish Insider on Sunday afternoon, de Blasio stuck to his remarks but was otherwise quick to clarify that he remains a strong supporter of Israel and will continue to stand up for the Jewish state in Congress. Shontel Brown (D-OH) that drew more than a million dollars in outside spending from pro-Israel groups over Turner’s alignment with the Squad and her support for conditioning U.S.

Bernie Sanders (I-VT) was defeated last month in a primary rematch against freshman Rep. The former Ohio state senator and presidential campaign surrogate for Sen. De Blasio has long identified as a staunch supporter of Israel and has maintained close ties to Jewish community members in New York City throughout his decades-long career in politics.īut his comments at the forum have raised concerns among Jewish community activists who are questioning whether his Middle East foreign policy views will remain consistent if he is elected to the House - or if he now aligns with Turner on such issues. The ex-mayor’s remarks were a sharp turn away from previous instances in which he has defended AIPAC, made public appearances at AIPAC events and spoken at its policy conference, even as some Democrats have distanced themselves from the group in recent years.

Bill de blasio