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next year in jerusalem

By Colin Campbell 10/15/12 10:38pm

next year in jerusalem

Michael Oren and Rabbi Andy Bachman embracing on stage

In Brooklyn, Israeli Ambassador Refuses to Make a Presidential Pick

Earlier this evening, Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren visited Congregation Beth Elohim in Park Slope, where the New York-born diplomat touted Israel’s diversity, economic growth and its relationship with the United States. Despite being repeatedly pestered on the current election between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, Mr. Oren strenuously avoided taking sides.

“I’m so not going to answer that question!” he declared when first asked about the effective difference between Mr. Romney and Mr. Obama when it came to foreign policy in the region. The crowd laughed and cheered. Read More

By Colin Campbell 8/17/12 2:45pm

next year in jerusalem

Grace Meng in the Knesset, the Israeli legislative body. (Phot

Meng Campaign Calls Halloran’s Israel Trip a Stunt [Update]

Last week, Councilman Dan Halloran, a candidate for a northeastern Queens Congressional District, visited Israel and met with religious and government leaders in the process. Mr. Halloran used the trip to flex his foreign policy credentials, which he undoubtedly hopes will have some appeal with Jewish voters back home.

Mr. Halloran’s Democratic opponent, however, was not amused. In a statement blasted out this afternoon, Ms. Meng’s campaign accused Mr. Halloran of being insufficiently supportive of the country despite the trip. Read More

By Colin Campbell 8/10/12 8:27am

next year in jerusalem

Grace Meng (Photo: NY1)

Meng Outlines Her Position on Israel, Takes Shots at Halloran [Updated x2]

Yesterday morning, GOP Councilman Dan Halloran, a candidate for Congress against Democratic Assemblywoman Grace Meng, declared he was hopping on a plane to Israel this weekend. What’s more, he blasted the entire Democratic Party for failing to properly nurture a proper U.S.-Israeli relationship.

“Our president is not a real ally of Israel’s,” he declared. “Our president’s party, the Democratic Party, is not a real ally of Israel’s. They think Israel needs to apologize for defending herself. They think that we should apologize for standing with Israel.”

Well, unsurprisingly, Ms. Meng doesn’t exactly see eye-to-eye with him on that view and, yesterday evening, the Jewish Week published an op-ed by her entitled, “Where I Agree And Disagree With President Obama On Israel.” Read More