CHARLOTTE, N.C. â€" For the last two years, Democrats have worked hard to dispel the impression that their party is losing its traditional hold on Jewish voters because of the chilly relationship between President Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and the efforts of Republicans, including Mitt Romney, to cultivate Israeli leaders.
Now, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, has drawn a sharp denial from Israel's ambassador to the United States, Michael B. Oren, after claiming that he had accused Republicans of endangering Israel by criticizing Mr. Obama's record. Ms. Wasserman Schultz made her comments at a training sess ion for Jewish Democrats at the Democratic National Convention.
According to The Washington Examiner, which first reported the comments, Ms. Wasserman Schultz said that Republicans were trying to drive a wedge between Jewish voters and Mr. Obama by distorting and mischaracterizing his record on Israel. “We know, and I've heard no less than Ambassador Michael Oren say this, that what the Republicans are doing is dangerous for Israel,†she said.
In his statement, Mr. Oren said: “I categorically deny that I ever characterized Republican policies as harmful to Israel. Bipartisan support is a paramount national interest for Israel, and we have great friends on both sides of the aisle.â€
