Democratic Jewish Outreach Pennsylvania (DJOP) today endorsed what it called Vice President Joseph Biden’s “historic move” in naming US Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) as his running mate for Vice President.
“Sen. Harris represents the diversity of the Democratic party,” said Jill Zipin, chair of DJOP. “She reflects our Jewish values as shown through her commitment to immigrants, affordable healthcare and a more just society. Together Joe Biden and Sen. Harris will restore decency and intelligence to the White House.”
Zipin said that Harris’ support of Israel and the Jewish people has been “unwavering.”
“She has been to Israel on numerous occasions and supports a two-state solution to achieve peace.,” Zipin said. “Moreover, she believes Israel never should become a partisan issue.
Zipin cited Sen. Harris’ comments about Israel:
“Israel is a critical friend and ally to the United States. I stand with Israel both because of our shared values, which are so fundamental to the founding of both our nations, and because I believe the bonds between the people of the United States and the people of Israel are unbreakable and we can never let anyone drive a wedge between us.”
Noting that Sen. Harris’ husband is Jewish, Zipin said, “How wonderful it is that our first second gentleman will be Jewish.”
The Democratic Jewish Outreach PA (DJOP) today endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for President.
Jill Zipin, Chair of the DJOP board, said she and her colleagues made an exception to their practice of not endorsing in primary campaigns “because each of us supports Joe Biden and we know him well as a decent, compassionate leader who shares our values on a range of domestic issues, including education, gun safety, health care and women’s reproductive rights – as well as being a consistent, reliable and strong friend of Israel. Zipin said:
“We urgently need a unified, effective campaign to defeat the misplaced policies, lies, scandals and bigotry that are part of everyday life in the Trump administration.
“A unified Democratic Party is essential to restoring responsible domestic policies and rebuilding America’s standing with her partners around the world. It also is important to save and build on the Democratic majority in the US House of Representatives and to capture a Democratic majority in the US Senate.”
Zipin said that the members of the DJOP board recognize the dedication of supporters of other candidates in the primary election.
“Our party has room for differences of opinion on policies and strategies,” she said. “But their price cannot be ‘my way or the hi-way’ or another four years of the dangerous and narcissistic bully in the White House.”
The DJOP is a federal political action committee formed in 2008 to support progressive candidates and legislation and sponsor programs on contemporary issues.
The members of the DJOP Board are David Broida, William Epstein, Brett Goldman, Adam Kessler, Dina Lichtman, Martin Raffel, Rabbi Seymour Rosenbloom, Nina Rosenthal, Burt Siegel and Jill Zipin.