US Jewish leader denies report he criticized Netanyahu
Malcolm Hoenlein says PM has right, obligation to speak out against nuke deal but notes 'discomfort' in American-Jewish community with aggressive tone
NEW YORK — Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, denied reports saying he had criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for urging American Jews to fight the Iran deal.
In an interview Thursday with JTA, Hoenlein said the reports “could not be more inaccurate.”
Hoenlein offered his criticism in a meeting Thursday with several Israeli reporters.
“I think that Israeli officials should make the case on the content and the substance of the Iran deal and we will do a good job translating it into activity,” Hoenlein was quoted as saying. “I acknowledge that there is discomfort [in the American Jewish community]… The Israeli government should not be telling US Jews what they should do vis-à-vis their government.”
Hoenlein told JTA that while noting he said in general “we don’t believe Israelis should interfere in American politics or that Americans should interfere with Israeli politics,” he also said, as reported in The Times of Israel: “I think Netanyahu has the right to say to American Jews, you have to understand the seriousness of this issue. He has the right, and by his assessment and everything we know, maybe the obligation to reach out.”
Hoenlein shares Netanyahu’s opposition to the deal.