In an effort to court the many Arab-American constituents in the district where he is running for congress, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach has declared himself ‘the pro-Arab candidate.’
Boteach Declares Himself ‘the Pro-Arab Candidate’
In an effort to court the many Arab-American constituents in the district where he is running for congress, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach has declared himself ‘the pro-Arab candidate.’
From the New Jersey Jewish News:
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach took his campaign against Rep. Bill Pascrell to the heart of his opponent’s district July 11, appealing for votes in Paterson’s Arab-American community.
Standing behind a cardboard podium in a small triangular park on Main Street, the Englewood Republican attacked the eight-term Democrat for refusing to highlight the plight of Syrians.
Speaking to a small group of reporters and campaign aides, the rabbis said, “None of us here can offer any excuse for our inaction while citizens of Syria are slaughtered en masse by the government of President Bashar al-Assad.”
It was the third time that Boteach, an Orthodox rabbi, author, and former reality television star, has made a direct appeal to Arab-American voters in the newly drawn Ninth District.
Seeking to undercut Pascrell’s support among one of his key constituencies, the rabbi charged that the congressman had not spoken out in support of the Arab Spring and the Arab democracy movement or “in condemnation of the dictators who kill and slaughter the Arab people.”
A check of the Congressional Record showed that Pascrell was a cosigner of an August 2011 resolution expressing support for “peaceful demonstrations and universal freedoms in Syria” and “condemning the human rights violations by the Assad Regime.” In August 2011 Pascrell issued a release saying he supported the Obama administration’s call for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to step down.
In another rapid-fire attack on Pascrell’s voting record, Boteach said the representative voted against the American invasion of Iraq. “Whatever one’s feelings are about that invasion and the war, Saddam Hussein is officially the greatest murderer of Arab life in the history of the world,” said Boteach.
“That Congressman Pascrell would be declared ‘the pro-Arab candidate’ is farcical. I am the pro-Arab candidate,” said the rabbi.
Boteach then had to pivot to tout his pro-Israel credentials while questioning those of his opponent. Pascrell has at times earned support from the pro-Israel NORPAC group, but has also been criticized for occasionally supporting measures opposed by the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee and other pro-Israel groups.
In the Democratic primary battle between Pascrell and Rep. Steven Rothman, NORPAC threw its support behind Rothman.
‘I will win’
Speaking from the podium, Boteach said he “found it puzzling that pro-Israel groups such as AIPAC and NORPAC would declare their neutrality in this race…. Let me be clear. There is no such thing as supporting the democratic and moral Jewish state without supporting the freedom and rights of our Arab brothers and sisters” under Hamas, Hizbullah, and the government of Iran, he said.
Pascrell’s camp dismissed Boteach’s claims.
“Congressman Pascrell represents one of the most diverse districts in the country and has a proven track record of fighting on behalf of all of his constituents, no matter their race or religion,” responded a Pascrell campaign spokesperson, Keith Furlong.
“He continues to work to build bridges in both New Jersey and Washington, where he is focused on bringing Democrats and Republicans together to help middle class taxpayers, especially on building support for his Bring Job Homes Act to in-source jobs back to the United States,” said Furlong in an e-mail to NJ Jewish News.
Boteach was joined by Sherine El-Abd, a Clifton resident and a native of Egypt who is president of the New Jersey Federation of Republican Women.
She told NJJN her support of Boteach “has nothing to do with being Arab-American. It has everything to do with being American and being right on the issues, whether or not the issues pertain to Arab-American rights. I see eye-to-eye with the rabbi on many issues.”
But in interviews with NJJN, their opinions appeared to diverge on Israel.
Boteach said he opposes a Palestinian state “that will be taken over by Hamas. Hamas is dedicated and sworn to Israel’s destruction. No one is denying the Palestinians should have full rights. Given the complexity of the situation, the question is what should be done?”
But El-Abd said, “There should be a two-state solution” and hopes the Obama administration “spends some time so there will be stability and peace in the region.”
It is Boteach’s first try at political office, and, in a confident tone, he told NJJN, “I will win this race because Congressman Pascrell has not earned the right to reelection.”
Ummmm
is this a joke??? wait april fools was 3 1/2 months ago and purim even longer….. what is going on with him????
jackie
He is an embarrassment to Chabad.
GET HIM OUT OF HERE!
When will someone muzzle this idiot?
In case you don’t know it, Mr. Boteach, the Arab Spring’s so-called democracy has resulted in extreme anti-Israel rhetoric & government-sponsored hatred of Israel in Egypt (and you are a complete moron if you don’t know what THAT means for Israel’s safety & security!), a civil war in Syria causing Israel even greater angst & an ever-increasingly aggressive Iran.
Sell your soul while you’re selling out your co-religionists. Oh, but wait….you already did that when you praised JC.
nutsola
meshuga
Next book
“Kosher Terrorism”
i hope he wins
we need people like him in congress
i hope crown heights residents vote for him
sholom
There is only 1 place in the world Boteach will be accepted.
Yep, you guessed it, Temple Ahavas Israel, Crown Heights.
ayl
he is also the pro-kosher adultery candidate.
some people just crave attention.
disgusted
this guy should NOT be considered a rabbi. he is a disgrace to our community and seriously messed up in his head. i know he actually craves the attention whether it be negative or positive , thats exactly why he is doing this.
Mitnagid
What an imbecile!
excited
CANT WAIT TO READ “KOSHER TERRORISM” !!!
to #5
you are funny
oysh
something very off and unbalanced about this, its very inappropriate with the values of what he (sort of) makes himself to be.
Holy, holy , how
Te Israeli goverment has no goal,mission or purpose other than self preservation, similar to nations that failed in the past like Germany, Spain, Egypt, !
Make no mistake the laws and taxes is wants to impose upon the dwellers on the holyland are unauthorized by go-d,
The state of Israel is a false security blanket !
Pray to the go-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob before the red communist ways of livni and other “zionists” stain the ways of the fathers beyond repair !
to Ayl
You forgot to say the pro log cabin Republicans (sorry for being vague, I’m just trying to use loshon nekia, google it)
Shtusim vehavolim
But why post his comments on here? He no longer has a shaychus to Chabad and isn’t a chossid of the Rebbe.
Kosher Muhammad
What is next? Kosher Muhammad
Drop out and help Matisyahu
Looks like his beard has recently shrunk. At least it didn’t disappear entirely yet.
I think he should withdraw. Such politics is not a job for a nice Jewish boy, let alone a Rabbi. He can do things like helping Matisyahu instead.
Anonim
we need people like him in congress
—
Congress? Is that how they teach you to spell Creedmoor in Oholei Torah?????????????????
Anonim
There is only 1 place in the world Boteach will be accepted.
No, far more than one.
Neverland
Creedmoor
R-building
Otisville
Ramallah….
lol
Lol. He’s cracking me up
to # 18
have you ever heard of rolling your beard?
and since you have so much ahavas yisroel, how about YOU go out and help matisyahu instead of posting snarky anonymous comments on a website?
as for politics not being a job for a nice jewish boy, “let alone a rabbi,” are you unaware that the rebbe was involved in politics?
Mitnagid
Next thing he’ll join Neture Karta and sport an Arab kefyah…..
Misunderstood
His point is freedom for Arabs from THEIR oppressive leaders. (i.e. Hamas and P.A.)
Pop says its all good
Benedictine is kosher for the nine days ?
Chaim
Wow, its troubling how people see a name and decide he is wrong with out reading the article (understanding).
I am not a not a huge fan and don’t agree with a lot of his positions(no pun intended). That said, he is doing a great thing here. In a Time Magazine poll of Arab’s living in Israel, 95% said they would rather live in Israel under jewish rule then Palistine under Arab rule. Those people who pay taxes and want to be productive members of society should have that right. The other 5% have the right not to be brainwashed into killing for Hamas and Hezbulla.
He does not support a 2 state solution and doesn’t support Arab rule. He only asks for peace, for the Arabs and the Jews.
Thinking that peace will last more than a week without the support of the Arabs is naive and ignorant.
Enjoy the rest of the 9 days (without taring people apart just because you don’t like their name).
Ari
It’s amazing how much hate there is for this man!
I 100% agree with Chaim. From the comments that were posted here, the COMMENTATORS didn’t even bother to try to understand what his position is which is peace! That’s it! All you here is the name BOTEACH and automatically you stop listening because in your bias opinion, he’s wrong!
To any of the negative commentators, you have to stop this! It’s the nine days people!
THE SECOND BEIS HAMIKDASH WAS DESTROYED BECAUSE OF SINAS CHINUM AND IT WOULD SEEM WE DIDN’T LEARN OUR LESSON!
Lets at least open our minds a little bit and stop being so closed minded. After all, he’s doing something that you or I are not going to do at any point in our lives; Politics. If what’s mentioned above is his position, I hope he wins!
Have an easy fast!