Congressman: Choosing Palin an insult to Jews

Democratic Congressman Wexler blasts McCain's decision to choose Palin as running mate, slams her support for 'Nazi sympathizer' Buchanan; However, Jewish sources endorse move, praise Alaska governor as friend of Jewish community

Yitzhak Benhorin
Israel News

WASHINGTON - Is Sarah Palin pro-Israel or anti-Israel? Democratic Congressman Robert Wexler lashed out at John McCain's running mate Sarah Palin, saying the choice was a an insult to Jewish Americans because of her support for Pat Buchanan. "John McCain's decision to select a vice presidential running mate that endorsed Pat Buchanan for President in 2000 is a direct affront to all Jewish Americans, "Wexler's announcement said. "Pat Buchanan is a Nazi sympathizer with a uniquely atrocious record on Israel, even going as far as to denounce bringing former Nazi soldiers to justice and praising Adolf Hitler."


Earlier, Buchanan said that Palin indeed backed him in the past. However, the Alaska governor's support may have been related to Buchanan's domestic policy, rather than his foreign policy views.


Meanwhile, Jewish sources and Israel-friends in the United States told Ynet that the Alaska governor has maintained very warm relations with the small Jewish community in the state, which comprises roughly 4,000 people. Moreover, Palin met with Israeli Foreign Ministry official David Akov, who served as Israel's Consul General for the Pacific Northwest Region.



During the meeting, the two discussed cooperation between Israel and Alaska on various issues, such as counter-terrorism efforts. Akov invited Palin to visit Israel and the governor expressed her desire to do so. She also reportedly told Akov that Alaska's residents love Israel.