David Friedman To Liberal Jews: Sorry, But I’m Not Sorry
Image by YouTube
By Nathan Guttman February 16, 2017
David Friedman doesn’t think J Street, the Anti-Defamation League, or President Obama deserve an apology for his attacks on them.
In his prepared opening statement at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Friedman acknowledged “rightfully” criticism of some of his rhetoric. This rhetoric included, among other, calling J Street “kapos” — the Jews who collaborated with Nazis during World War II — and describing the ADL as “morons.”
“I regret the use of such language and I want to assure you that I understand the important difference between a political contest and a diplomatic mission,” Friedman said, but he did not go as far as apologizing for the comments.
“No apology,” tweeted J Street CEO Jeremy Ben-Ami.
When pressed by Democratic Senator Ben Cardin on the issue, Friedman still avoided any expression of apology.
“There is no excuse,” he said of his comments. “I cannot rationalize them” He called the remarks “hurtful words” and said again that he regrets them.”
Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected]
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
