By Nathan Duke
A bevy of Queens elected officials spoke vehemently against President Barack Obama’s stances on Israel during a Queens Jewish Community Council event on Mother’s Day to support the Middle Eastern nation.
Borough leaders at the city, state and federal levels told a crowd of nearly 200 people in Kew Gardens they believed the president did not have the right to tell Israel not to expand in the Gaza Strip. They also criticized Obama’s handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“Israel is our only ally against the war on terror,” U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Forest Hills) said. “When you look for the so-called moderate Arab states, it’s like a child looking for a unicorn. It doesn’t exist. We know who our friends are.”
At a United Nations conference that began earlier this month, the Obama administration had indicated support for a proposal by Egypt to make the Middle East completely free of nuclear arms, including Israel.
Queens residents rallied at the QJCC’s event with signs that read “Jerusalem is the united Jewish capitol of the Jewish people” and “No Palestinian state, no agreements with terrorists — risking Israel and USA.”
“Jerusalem is not a settlement any more than Washington, D.C., is a settlement,” state Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows) said. “It’s not up for debate or discussion. For many years, it’s been the policy of the U.S. that Israel can continue to grow. But our president has reversed that policy and demanded that Israel does not expand. It’s an aid and comfort to terrorists.”
Attendees waved Israeli and U.S. flags and cheered as the Queens leaders spoke on a stage in front of the Vleigh Library in Kew Gardens.
“There is only one democracy in the Middle East,” Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck) said. “If not for Israel, the area would be dominated by terrorism.”
The event was held by the QJCC and City Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows).
“We are here because President Obama has demanded that Israel stop building in Jerusalem,” he said. “He would never accept another country telling us not to build. How dare he tell Israel to stop building. He should be telling them, ‘Yes, we can.’”
State Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Whitestone) and Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn (D-Flushing) also spoke at the event.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
