Black lawmakers vow to stand by Israel despite sitting out Netanyahu speech

http://www.jta.org/2015/03/10/news-opinion/politics/black-lawmakers-vow-to-stand-by-israel-despite-sitting-out-netanyahu


"Leading black lawmakers have taken pains to put the blame for the speech incident on Boehner and convey their continued support for Israel. At the news conference with Lewis, Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), the caucus chairman, described a phone call he had with Ron Dermer, the Israeli ambassador to Washington who organized the invitation with Boehner, and who agreed to Boehner's request to keep it secret from the president and congressional Democrats.
"During that telephone conversation I pleaded with the ambassador to seek a postponement of the joint session, but he dismissed that idea," Butterfield said. "Notwithstanding, I pledged my continued personal support and explained that Israel has many friends in the Congressional Black Caucus, and do not think that Speaker Boehner's conduct will interfere with our relationship."

Posted by Donna Hicks, AIME member

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