WASHINGTON – Among the voices criticizing the possible selection of former GOP
senator Chuck Hagel as secretary of defense are pro-Israel Democrats who worked
hard to reassure the Jewish community about White House support of Israel before
last month’s US election.
“He has one of the least pro- Israel records of
any senator in recent memory. He is a uniquely toxic figure for the pro-Israel
community,” said a Democratic pro-Israel activist who campaigned heavily within
the Jewish community for US President Barack Obama. “We pro-Israel Democrats
have no good explanation or response for people who criticize Hagel.”
He
added, “Many of the people who had questioned [Obama’s] record on Israel and
ended up voting for him in the end will feel betrayed were he to nominate
Senator Hagel.”
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