Honored by Jewish Dems, Pelosi calls Israel’s creation ‘greatest political feat of 20th century’

WASHINGTON — Former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi calls the 1948 establishment of Israel “the greatest political feat of the 20th century.”

“We’re so proud that [then-Democratic president] Harry Truman immediately recognized the State of Israel, which I consider to be the greatest political feat of the 20th century — a Jewish democracy in what was Palestine,” she says at a gala event in DC hosted by the Jewish Democratic Council of America, which presented her with the “Defender of Democracy Award.”

Also addressing the event were Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Reps. Kathie Manning and Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Jeffries last month faced criticism when an article he had written in college defending his uncle and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan amid accusations of antisemitism resurfaced. But at the gala event, Jeffries reiterated the stances he has taken in favor of the Jewish community since entering politics.

“Our pledge as House Democrats is to make sure that we stand up, speak up, show up until we crush antisemitism in the United States of America. That’s a value that we all should share,” Jeffries says.

In his brief remarks, Emhoff notes US President Joe Biden’s personal involvement in the White House’s crafting of an antisemitism strategy that is expected to be released in the coming days. “He has been doing a lot of work with us behind the scenes on the plan,” Emhoff says, adding that his wife, US Vice President Kamala Harris, has done so as well.