We did not come to praise

Bradley Burston wonders why the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), which I head, is “defending Israel’s KKK slime?”

The answer is that we’re not. At no point in our press release did we offer praise or support for Otzma Yehudit or agreement with its policies, nor would we wish to do so.

Rather, our press release focused on the hypocrisy and inconsistency of AIPAC/ADL/AJC, which condemned the minor deal of Prime Minister Netanyahu with these right-wing parties, but which have been deafeningly silent about mergers of dangerous anti-Israel Arab parties led by Arab Knesset members, often at the behest of Palestinian Authority terrorist dictator Mahmoud Abbas.

Mr. Burston contends that the ZOA is providing a “direct echo of the drumbeat incitement of Netanyahu’s campaign talking points” when we note accurately that these parties seek Israel’s elimination as a Jewish state and engage in treacherous conduct, up to and including assisting Palestinian Arab terrorists and inciting anti-Jewish terrorism.

Apparently, for Mr. Burston, the truth may not be uttered if it in any way comports with the views expressed by the Netanyahu government.

Morton A. Klein, ZOA National President