congressman moran, of va says jews are responsible for war

[rainstorm]

and they can stop it. will the democrats accept his heartfelt(sure, hehe)
apology? i seem to remeber they did not accept trent lott's apology.

Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 11, 2003; Page A01


Jewish organizations condemned Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.) yesterday for delivering what they said were anti-Semitic remarks at an antiwar forum in Reston, where he suggested that American Jews are responsible for pushing the country to war with Iraq and that Jewish leaders could prevent war if they wanted to.

At the forum, attended by about 120 people at St. Anne's Episcopal Church on March 3, Moran discussed why he thought antiwar sentiment was not more effective in the United States.

"If it were not for the strong support of the Jewish community for this war with Iraq, we would not be doing this," Moran said in comments first reported by the Reston Connection and not disputed by Moran. "The leaders of the Jewish community are influential enough that they could change the direction of where this is going, and I think they should."

Moran, a seven-term incumbent representing Alexandria, Arlington County and part of Fairfax County, yesterday apologized in a statement, saying, "I made some insensitive remarks that I deeply regret.

"I should not have singled out the Jewish community and regret giving any impression that its members are somehow responsible for the course of action being pursued by the Administration, or are somehow behind an impending war," Moran said, elaborating on an apology issued Friday to Jewish news organizations and rabbis that was distributed more widely yesterday.

Moran said he was trying to make a larger point that "if more organizations in this country, including religious groups, were more outspoken against a war, then I do not think we would be pursuing war as an option." He said he framed his answer the way he did because his questioner identified herself as Jewish, and "I regret doing that."

The dispute became the latest in a string of political controversies surrounding Moran, 57, a former mayor of Alexandria. Previously, he has acknowledged poor judgment in handling his personal financial problems. He also has been the target of ethics complaints for accepting loans from parties with business before him in Congress.

In recent years, Moran's relations with pro-Israel organizations and U.S. Jewish leaders have deteriorated. The groups cite his 1991 vote against foreign aid to Israel, rhetorical support for the Palestinian cause, statements on Israeli history and leadership, and acceptance of campaign cash from individuals sympathetic to the terrorist organization Hamas or under investigation for possible links to terrorists. He later sent back those contributions.

"When Moran realized just how outrageous his remarks were, he attempted to backpedal, saying he didn't mean what he clearly said," said Sophie R. Hoffman, president of the Jewish Community Council of Greater Washington, which represents 210 organizations. "This time it just won't work."

Hoffman's spokesman called Moran's statement "reprehensible and anti-Semitic," and David Bernstein, spokesman for the American Jewish Committee, said it was "anti-Semitic in effect if not in intent." Leaders of the Anti-Defamation League, a civil rights organization, and the National Jewish Democratic Council, an unofficial arm of national party activists, also criticized the remarks.

Rabbi Jack Moline of Alexandria, one of six rabbis who called yesterday for Moran's resignation, said the congressman repeated "the most scandalous rhetoric of the last century" by singling out Jewish influence and scapegoating Jews as controlling international events.

"Such remarks about any minority group in America, whether African-Americans, Hispanics, Muslims or others, are beyond inappropriate in the rhetoric of a member of Congress," Moline wrote.

A January poll commissioned by the American Jewish Committee found that 59 percent of American Jews supported war against Iraq, a percentage not appreciably different from that of Americans generally.

Reports of Moran's comments and his apology drew a variety of responses among political leaders and observers of U.S. policy in the Middle East.

Virginia Senate Minority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax), who is Jewish, said: "Was it tremendously insensitive? Yes. Is [Moran] an anti-Semite? No. I've known this guy since 1979, and he's not an anti-Semite."

Phyllis Bennis, a fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington who opposes U.S. policy toward Iraq and Israeli settlements, said Moran's comments were wrong but not necessarily anti-Semitic. Bush administration officials who advocate strengthening Israel's "power in the region as a surrogate for U.S. interests" are driving U.S. policy, Bennis said, not American Jews.

However, "the claim that this is anti-Semitic is just a canard that is designed to undermine the antiwar movement," said Bennis, who is Jewish. "Acknowledging that the Jewish community is one of several influential communities in the U.S. is not anti-Semitic."

Kevin Hall, a spokesman for Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner (D), said Warner "believes the congressman's remarks were offensive, and the governor is pleased to hear the congressman has now offered a public apology."

Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Lawrence Framme said, "Jim has apologized profusely, and I believe his future conduct will reflect that apology."

Katherine K. Hanley (D), chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, called Moran's remarks "indefensible." State Sen. Janet D. Howell (D-Fairfax), an 11-year incumbent from Reston, said they were inexcusable and intolerable.

"For the congressman to scapegoat and blame the Jewish community for the impending war is intolerable. Whether we support or oppose the war, we must respect all religious communities," Howell said. "There is no question that responsible Democratic leaders should distance themselves from him."

[rainstorm]

this is disgusting. the congressman is spouting the same anti-semitic nonsense that has been around for decades

[sunny shine]

Typical Democrat response though. It is nothing new coming out of that party. They can do what they want, say what they want and it is okay. I am sure FoxNews will be all over it, but they will be the only one. It is time for the Republicans to come out against this type thing. But I doubt they will ever do that. Look at what they did to one of their own. Trent Lott ring a bell?

An apology? Well that is unnacceptable.

[rainstorm]

Typical Democrat response though. It is nothing new coming out of that party. They can do what they want, say what they want and it is okay. I am sure FoxNews will be all over it, but they will be the only one. It is time for the Republicans to come out against this type thing. But I doubt they will ever do that. Look at what they did to one of their own. Trent Lott ring a bell?

An apology? Well that is unnacceptable.

he should resign immediately

[Derek Ortt]

Two things,

The Dems are hypocrites. They wanted Lott to resign for honoring an honorable American but want to keep him. Cannot have it both ways (actually, they advocate rascism more than the republicans). Besides, it's moronic. Jews are not driving this war.

The above does not come from a supporter of Isreal as I am not one. I strongly believe that current Isreal is NOT the one indicated in the Bible as that one will believe in the true word of God and not reject Jesus. This Isreal WILL come and hopefully very soon as it would be great to see a Christian state set up in the holy land, where Christianity originated.

[OtherHD]

Hmmm is it "Congressman Moran" or "Congressman Moron"? I seem to agree with the latter....................

[rainstorm]

Hmmm is it "Congressman Moran" or "Congressman Moron"? I seem to agree with the latter....................

[sunny shine]

Derek.... did you know that Saddam kills Christians in the northern part of Iraq? Ziwar Muhammad Isma'il was a Christian Kurd that refused to denounce Christianity and return to Islam. There is still persecution among Christians living in Islamic Countries. There is no such thing as freedom of religion there. It is either Islam, Allah or be killed. Israel does not kill Christians.

[mf_dolphin]

I vote for MORON...

[Derek Ortt]

Hussien does not kill Christians as if he did, Tariq Aziz would be dead. The number 2 in Iraq is a Christian. That may have been a rouge element (his Al Queda allies).

Now, I am not defending Iraq and want to see them abliterated yesterday. However, I also want Isreal to see the light and follow the word of God and accept Christ into their lives. As it is stated in the bible, if they follow God, they will always be protected. if they do not, they are on their own. I really want them to accept Christ and establish Christianity in its home and would love to relocate to the Christian state

[sunny shine]

Oh but yes he does Derek!!! If those Christians get bold and defy him then oh yes he does! He kidnaps Christian Kurds and executes them. Do a search on it and you will be saddened at what you find.

[wx247]

Typical Democrat response though. It is nothing new coming out of that party. They can do what they want, say what they want and it is okay. I am sure FoxNews will be all over it, but they will be the only one. It is time for the Republicans to come out against this type thing. But I doubt they will ever do that. Look at what they did to one of their own. Trent Lott ring a bell?

An apology? Well that is unnacceptable.

I don't think this is a "typical" Democrat response. I hope Fox News does cover it... but ALL the networks should. Republicans should blast this man...but alas they don't. Why not?

[sunny shine]

I beg to differ. If you go back and look at the history of Democrat responses it is nothing but typical. I have no idea as to why Republicans let these responses go unnoticed by that party. I agree that the Republicans need to be more outspoken on issues such as this one.

[wx247]

Are you referring to the blasting of Jews? I am not sure what you are meaning by typical.

[wx247]

Rereading Congressman Moran's remarks...what is so terrible about what he is saying? Supporting Israel is the reason that most of these nations hate us anyways. I am not saying that we should not support Israel, but the crux of his remarks are on target, yet the way he said them was unclassy and wrong.

[sunny shine]

I feel they can say what they want in the media, including the the playing of the race card and can get away with it. Democrats can always bash someone like they did in this Jews issue and it is supposed to be okay. That is what I mean by typical.

[wx247]

Criticizing and blasting...isn't that done by both sides?

[sunny shine]

So what you are telling me is that his remarks were taken out of context? So the spew with you here is that it is okay for what he said but he used the wrong words?

[sunny shine]

Criticizing and blasting...isn't that done by both sides?

Actually no it is not done on both sides. Look at Trent Lott, that should give you some insight. The Republican Party blasted him for his remarks. Dems do not do that. Everything is okay to the Democrats so long as it is one of their own.

[Derek Ortt]

Didnt know that about the Christian Kurds. Does he target them for being Christians, or for political dissent. I am curious about this in that the number 2 in Iraq is a Christian and a substantial percentage of the population are Christian there (more so that every other Arab state, except maybe for Syria