Activists Applaud Yvette Clarke

By COLlive reporter

Regardless of what happens in the upcoming Israel elections, Jewish activists in Brooklyn are grateful to the elected officials that attended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s speech in Congress.

“We recognize the political considerations you were faced with, acknowledge, and appreciate your decision to attend,” the leadership of the Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition wrote to Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.

“In doing so, you represented your constituents, and the cause of freedom and liberty,” wrote Josh Mehlman, Chaskel Bennett, Loen Goldenberg and Avi Schick.

Netanyahu’s speech about the Iranian nuclear threat and the problematic deal with the Iranians was hotly contested. But all but one of New York City’s all-Democratic congressional delegation attended the speech, Hamodia noted.

Most of the opposition — which angered the Obama administration since Speaker John Boehner invited Netanyahu without consulting them — came from the Congressional Black Caucus, which was co-founded by Rep. Charles Rangel of Harlem, the newspaper reported.

The only congressman from New York City who did not attend was Gregory Meeks of Brooklyn.

Congresswoman Clarke reportedly decided to be present at the speech after speaking to Jewish activists and receiving numerous calls and emails to her office, following an article on COLlive.com.

“We are aware of the extent to which you were forced to balance conflicting interests in weighing your decision and we know that it was not easy for you,” wrote the leadership of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council in reference to left-wing pressure.

Signed on that letter were Zaki Tamir (Chairman), Yossi Hackner (Vice Chairman), Fishel Brownstein (Treasurer), Chanina Sperlin (Governmental Affairs Liaison) and Eli Cohen (Executive Director).

“Many have children, parents and siblings in Israel, while viewing all their brethren as one large family,” they wrote about the close concern Brooklyn’s Jewish residents are showing towards Israel.

Letters were also written by Yaacov Behrman and Mendy Margolin of the Jewish Future Alliance, and Avi Lesches, Israel Clapman, Shloime Hecht and Yossi Baumgarten of the Young Leadership Political Club of Crown Heights.