NJDC today called Florida Republican Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist's television commercial invoking images of Yasser Arafat and attempting to distort Jim Davis' pro-Israel voting record "absolutely disgraceful."
The following statement was issued today by NJDC Executive Director Ira Forman:
"Until June 2002, Arafat was meeting with scores of U.S. officials. Among those with whom he met were prominent Republican Congressional leaders and even George W. Bush's first Secretary of State Colin Powell - who met with Arafat AFTER Jim Davis did. If this is such an important issue for Charlie Crist and Florida Republicans, then why haven't they called for the apologies of their fellow Republicans who also met with Arafat?
"This is just another sad example of another sad Republican who has chosen partisan politics over the long-term safety and security of Israel.
"Throughout his career in the U.S. House of Representatives, Jim Davis has posted a 100 percent pro-Israel voting record. He earned his rock solid credentials on Israel by consistently standing up for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.
"In a desperate move to save their faltering campaign, Charlie Crist and Florida Republicans are trying to politicize the U.S.-Israel relationship which has enjoyed almost 60 years of bipartisan support because of people like Jim Davis. Crist and Republicans are throwing whatever they can up against the wall in hopes that something will stick. It's absolutely disgraceful.
"The only appropriate and responsible thing to do is to apologize and pull these ads immediately."
Perhaps most shocking is that President Bush's first Secretary of State Colin Powell met with Yasser Arafat on April 14, 2002 - 2 months AFTER Jim Davis, Florida Congressman Robert Wexler (D-Boca Raton) and other Members of Congress met with Arafat. Here's one picture of Arafat and Powell taken AFTER the Davis meeting. And another.
We'll let you know when Crist calls on the Bush Administration to apologize, though we're not holding our breath.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel is reporting on the story today.
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