Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on January 15, 2013

By Ron Kampeas January 15, 2013

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WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Even as critics intensify their efforts to depict him as unfit to protect the U.S.-Israel relationship, Chuck Hagel has convinced several of the most prominent Jewish Democratic lawmakers to endorse his nomination to lead the Pentagon.

Since rumors of his nomination first surfaced in December, opponents have argued to varying degrees that Hagel is anti-Israel and even anti-Semitic. At the center of many of the attacks has been his 2006 comment to an interviewer that the Jewish lobby intimidates many people in Washington.

In recent days, Hagel has secured endorsements from three of the most identifiably Jewish and pro-Israel Democratic lawmakers: U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), as well as U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.

The endorsements follow several discussions with lawmakers during which Hagel is said to have expressed regret for the Jewish lobby comment. In those discussions, he also assured lawmakers that he is committed to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

In our conversation, Sen. Hagel made a crystal-clear promise that he would do 'whatever it takes' to stop Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons, including the use of military force, Schumer said in a statement regarding his Monday meeting with Hagel. He said his 'top priority' as Secretary of Defense would be the planning of military contingencies related to Iran."

Obamas formal nomination of Hagel on Jan. 7 only intensified the battle lines over the former Nebraska senator and Vietnam War hero.

That day, one of his most prominent critics, Elliott Abrams, told NPR that Hagel appears to be an anti-Semite. Less than a week later, on the Jan. 13 broadcast of Meet the Press," one of Hagels more prominent defenders, Colin Powell, called such attacks disgraceful.

Read more:
As the Hagel battle intensifies, Pentagon nominee gets key support from Jewish Dems

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month
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