JCRC Bay Area

JCRC STATEMENT: Rep. @RoKhanna's West Bank Visit and Relationship with the Jewish Community JCRC Bay Area is closely following reports of Congressman Ro Khanna’s encounter with West Bank settlers. This story is raising questions and concerns across the Jewish community, especially in his Silicon Valley district. While there are many conflicting accounts of what exactly transpired, no elected official – nor any Palestinian civilian for that matter – should be subject to unlawful actions by settlers. JCRC has been clear that violence by Israeli extremists in the West Bank is an unacceptable violation of Jewish values that undermines Israel’s security and democracy, and is rejected by the overwhelming majority of Israelis and Jewish Americans alike. While criticism of government policies is both legitimate and necessary in any liberal democracy, and these issues must be addressed, the existence of such challenges should not be used as a pretext to delegitimize Israel. Nor should the actions of a small minority be conflated with all Israelis. In public polling, JCRC found that the vast majority of Bay Area Jews (89 percent) support Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, even though we also found widespread dissatisfaction with the current Israeli government (75 percent). In joint meetings with Jewish Silicon Valley and the Bay Area Jewish Coalition, JCRC has conveyed our concerns to the Congressman in how he is representing the district and our community on foreign policy issues. Additionally, JCRC and our partners have discussed pressing issues related to antisemitism with the congressman. We shared increasing concerns that his repeated use of the phrase “Epstein class,” and attacks on AIPAC as a shadowy organization, are being used by antisemitic individuals and groups to further conspiracy theories that harm the Jewish community. We are also concerned by his support for candidates with antisemitic records. He was a vocal champion of Maine Democratic senatorial candidate Graham Platner, even after his Nazi tattoo was uncovered, and New York DSA congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier, who, among many shocking actions, attended post-October 7th celebrations of Hamas’ atrocities. At a time when antisemitism is increasingly becoming normalized, we call on Congressman Khanna to exercise the same urgency he has brought to criticizing Israel to address the hostile climate many Jewish Americans face every day, and commit to advancing key legislation that would strengthen Jewish community security. We continue to welcome the opportunity to work together with the Congressman on concrete actions that advance those goals, as well as a shared future in the Middle East where Palestinians and Israelis alike can live with peace, security, and dignity.