Rep. David Bonior will be representing the Obama campaign at the Democratic National Committee meeting this weekend in Washington, D.C., according to an announcement by the Barack Obama campaign for president. As a Congressman, David Bonior was known for his strong opposition to pro-Israel policies, with editor [and Israel Insider columnist] Jonathan Tobin calling him "the biggest supporter of the anti-Israel Arab lobby in Congress."
In a press release the Republican Jewish Coalition pointed to a disturbing pattern in Obama's appointments: "Barack Obama's path to strengthening ties with the Jewish community is severely blocked when appointing an anti-Israel figure like David Bonior. While in Congress, Bonior refused to stand by Israel after repeated terrorist attacks, was known as a stalwart opponent to Israel, and is now a representative for Barack Obama. Bonior's appointment is the latest in a series that raises serious questions and doubts about Barack Obama's positions and judgments on the Middle East."
During his Congressional career, David Bonior repeatedly opposed pro-Israel legislation. In 1997, David Bonior was one of 15 Congressmen who signed a letter asking then-President Clinton to pressure Israelis into making concessions to the Palestinians. In 2002, David Bonior was one of only 21 Congressmen who opposed H.R. 392, which publicly affirmed Congress's support of Israel's right to self-defense and called for the dismantling of the Palestinian terrorist infrastructure. In 1990, David Bonior was one of only 34 Congressman to vote against a measure naming Jerusalem as the united capital of Israel. In 1989, Bonior was one of six House members to vote against a bill that prevented US funds from going to UN entities that granted the PLO membership. Throughout his career, Bonior repeatedly opposed US aid to Israel and supported arms sales to Arab states opposed to Israel's existence.
In 2006, Bonior was appointed to manage the Jonathan Edward presidential campaign, sparking expressions of concern by American Jewish leaders.
The executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Malcolm Hoenlein, called it "disappointing" that Edwards "chose somebody whose position is at such variance from his, specifically on Israel."
Mr. Hoenlein added, "People make decisions about candidates based on their assessments of the individual's character, positions and judgment. One would have to think that Edwards anticipated and factored in the implication of his choice of Bonior."
A former executive director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Morris Amitay, said yesterday, "This seems like an odd choice for someone who is a presidential candidate, picking someone who was one of the least friendly congressmen toward Israel to manage his campaign. It says something about Edwards' political judgment."
The same would seem to apply to Obama, according to the RJC:
"The appointment of yet another anti-Israel advisor like David Bonior to represent Barack Obama speaks volumes to the Jewish community. The pattern, including Tony McPeak, Zbigniew Brzezinski, and Robert Malley, continues with this appointment. It's no wonder the Jewish community remains deeply skeptical and troubled by Barack Obama."
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