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De Blasio: Yes, It Is My Role as Mayor to Defend Israel

During an interview on MSNBC Wednesday, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio was confronted by the host, Chris Hayes, regarding a speech he gave last month to AIPAC. The host questioned the mayor as to why he proclaimed that defending the state of Israel is part of his job description as mayor of New York City.

“I want to ask you how you see your job. You gave a speech to AIPAC. The speech wasn’t on the public schedule, it was off the record, but the content was reported,” said Hayes. “One of the things that you said was it was part of your job description to be a defender of Israel… [Yes]… Obviously, we are not going to resolve the very complicated issues vis-à-vis Israel and Palestine.”

“But I got to say as a New Yorker, I thought ‘I don’t know if that’s true. I voted for this guy, and I don’t know if it’s part of the job description for him to be a defender of Israel. It seems like he’s got enough on his plate. Is he the defender of the Ukrainians in the streets, who are crying out for their rights? Is he the defender of the Taiwanese against the one China policy?’”

“Is it really your job, is that your job description?” Hayes asked.

Mayor de Blasio responded:

“Look, I said something that was personal. I said something that was about my belief that we have to defend the state of Israel,” mayor de Blasio responded. “And I think that has everything to do with the alliance that we have with Israel, the history have and particularly as New Yorkers, the deep, deep connection with have personally with Israel. I think it’s also a matter of protecting democracy. I think Israel’s stance as a pluralistic society deserves respect… It has been under attack and I think it is our job to support it.”

“So that’s me speaking as the mayor of a city that is the closest to Israel than any city on earth and that has one of the largest Jewish populations of any city on earth. And I think it is a fair role for me to play,” he added.

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15 Comments

  • Citizen Berel

    It’s your role as mayor to clean the trash out of the alley.

    And to clear the snow.

    • Citizen Shmerl

      And to not drive all the rich people out of the city thus causing the NYC to go bankrupt.

  • Citizen Gimple

    And to abolish ticket quotas on the cops, so they can fight REAL crime instead of spending their time terrorizing innocent citizens for perceived traffic/jaywalking violations or any other stupid/petty reason. We don’t need a police-state/city for law abiding New Yorkers.

  • Citizen Berel #2

    …And to leave his “Progressive agenda” for “Progressive” countries, like Soviet Russia, China, Cuba and Valenzuela. Don’t forget Nicaragua (his favorite), just ask the Communist Sandinista government.

    Though I definitely commend him for his – defense (whatever he means by that) of Israel, and I’d assume so do Citizen Shmerl and Gimple.

  • Expectations!

    I was thinking,, It is your role to represent us, the residents of NYC. It is now 3 weeks worth of piling up of Recyclying on Empire Blvd. Do you think its your role to take care of that?? Please?

  • Yet to see

    We’ll see in the future if he’s saying this to pander to the Jews, or if he really means it. If he means it, then we thank him. If if doesn’t…

  • Let's hope

    A loony “Progressive” Sandanista communist Mayor? Yes.

    An Israel supporting Mayor in addition? Let’s hope so.

  • For democracy

    Thank you Bill De Blasio for supporting Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East (I mean it).
    Now please make sure that New York City remains a democracy as well (I mean that too).

  • Don't misunderstand the comments

    All the commenters above appreciate De Blasio’s support of Israel, don’t misunderstand. They just want him to support New York as well, that’s all.

  • Disgruntled Tzadik

    your role as mayor is to protect your own citizens, not pander to the tzyonim.

    • Your no Tzadik

      It’s one thing to disagree with the Mayor’s policies vis-a-vis NYC (like I do). It’s quite another to say he’s pandering to the “Tziyonim”. Who’s that? Why don’t you say “pander to the Jews”? Your word usage gives you away. You sure are disgruntled, but you’re no Tzadik!

    • To "Disgruntled"

      Better pander to “Tziyonim” than to “Neturei Karta”, eh “Disgruntled”?

  • MJ

    It’s also part of the job description of NY senators to defend Israel. Did anyone notice how Hillary Clinton was anti-Israel when First Lady, then pro-Israel when Senator, then anti-Israel when Secretary of State? I assume that when she runs for President she’ll all of a sudden be pro-Israel again.