Rabbis rip Sen. Kim over Israel weapons vote: ‘You are on the wrong side of this issue’
TRENTON, NJ — Over 150 New Jersey rabbis issued a scathing condemnation Monday of Senator Andy Kim following his vote against a U.S. weapons sale to Israel, accusing him of abandoning the Jewish community and siding with anti-Israel extremists in Congress.
Kim, often portrayed as a radical left-wing politician with sympathy for a socialist and anti-American agenda has not yet responded to the criticism over his vote to interfere in Israel’s defense of the terrorist group Hamas.
Key Points
- Senator Andy Kim voted for a resolution opposing arms sales to Israel during its war with Hamas.
- New Jersey rabbis accused Kim of betraying Jewish constituents and Israel’s security needs.
- The statement praised Senator Cory Booker for rejecting the resolution and supporting Israel.
The public statement, signed by rabbis from across New Jersey’s religious and political spectrum, said they were “shocked,” “dismayed,” and “angry” over Kim’s vote.
The vote was triggered by a resolution introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders to block arms sales to Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas and Iranian-backed militants.
“In his first vote on an issue critical to Israel’s security, Senator Andy Kim voted with the anti-Israel fringe, against our ally, and our community,” the rabbis wrote in the statement. They emphasized Israel’s need for American-made weapons to defend itself against continued rocket and missile attacks.
Rabbis demand accountability
The rabbis contrasted Kim’s vote with that of Senator Cory Booker, who voted against Sanders’ resolution. They credited Booker with “once again showing true leadership” in upholding U.S.-Israel military cooperation. The rabbis warned that withholding weapons now could hinder efforts to bring hostages home and undermine Israel’s fight against terrorism.
“Senator Kim: You are on the wrong side of this issue. Your constituents are outraged. Listen to them,” the statement concluded.
The letter cited support from Israeli leaders across the political divide, including Yair Golan and opposition leader Yair Lapid, both of whom condemned the effort to halt arms transfers as dangerous and irresponsible.
Broader implications for Kim
The rebuke highlights growing tensions within the Democratic Party over policy toward Israel, especially as military operations in Gaza continue. The rabbis stressed that the criticism was not political but rooted in what they described as a fundamental breach of trust between Kim and New Jersey’s Jewish community.
The letter referenced meetings between Kim and Jewish leaders in which he reportedly pledged support for Israel. The rabbis said his vote contradicted those commitments and placed him in alignment with “Hamas’ lies and propaganda.”
Senator Kim has not issued a public statement responding to the rabbis’ criticism as of Tuesday.