Despite the fact that we disagree on almost any issue – with the exception of our mutual support and love for the State of Israel – I have great respect for my good friend Jeff Wiesenfeld.
I was surprised to read his reference to me in his letter last week entitled “Kaplan backed Obama on Iran,” as we have not spoken recently about the issues he raises,
To be clear: in my roles as president of the Great Neck Democratic Club and a vice chairman of the Nassau County Democratic Committee, I have not endorsed either candidate in the Democratic primary for state senate but will unquestionably be supporting the Democratic candidate in the general election in November.
Recognizing that state senators have little to do with the conduct of American foreign policy, I am confident that whichever candidate wins the general election will be a supporter of Israel.
However, their position on Israel is but one issue upon which we should judge and support candidates for any office.
Looking at other points that Jeff raises, while I welcome many of the president’s strong moves and statements in support of Israel, I do not believe any of them are as a result of personal commitment or deeply reasoned or thought out foreign policy strategies.
The steps taken were for domestic partisan political objectives, primarily to reach his far right and evangelical base.
Jeff, and others in his camp, continue to castigate former president Obama for his less than perfect record concerning Israel, and the dreadful Iran deal, but the record does show that military and intelligence support for and cooperation with Israel reached new heights under President Obama.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is playing a very dangerous game by so closely allying himself and his government with one American political party and one man. We cannot allow support for Israel to become a partisan issue.
Where I totally agree with Jeff Wiesenfeld is with respect to his reference to the growing power and influence of the extreme left wing of the Democratic Party and its hostility to Israel and support for BDS.
As he says, “Bipartisan support for Israel is essential …” and
Democrats like myself must counter those in our party who no longer are or never have been Israel supporters.
And Republicans like Jeff cannot surrender their party to the far right, the policies and goals of which most moderate Republicans around here disagree.
Steven Markowitz
Great Neck
