Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California recently said that he was “very concerned” about democracy in Israel and said that the country’s government has “expressed bigotry” in some of its policies, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA).
Schiff, who is Jewish, has historically been a supporter of Israel and secured endorsements from several mainstream Jewish political action committees, according to the Times of Israel. The California representative expressed concerns about Israel’s democracy last week, going so far as to claim that several Israeli policies are “highly divisive” and bigoted in nature, according to the JTA. (RELATED: Israeli Political Leaders Rebuke Biden Administration’s Call For End To Settlement Of The West Bank)
“I am very concerned about it, about the participation of certain elements in the Israeli government that have expressed bigotry and divisive policies and positions,” Schiff said.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 16: The members of Congress were appointed as managers of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, which is expected to begin in earnest early next week. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Former President Donald Trump, who Schiff helped fight to impeach in 2019, gave “would-be autocrats around the world” an example of how to push “anti-democratic initiatives,” according to Schiff, but he did not outright accuse Netanyahu of being included in that category, according to the JTA.
“Sadly, our last president gave guidance to would-be autocrats around the world,” Schiff told the JTA. “We see that in Brazil. We see that in the Philippines and elsewhere. It’s sad that the United States should be an example for anti-democratic initiatives around the world but under our own last president, that was the case.”
Schiff announced his run for Senate in January, aiming at the former president again, suggesting Israel’s democracy might not be the only one on the line, according to the Times.
“We’re in the fight of our lives for the future of our country,” Schiff said. “Our democracy is under assault from MAGA extremists, who care only about gaining power and keeping it.”
Schiff did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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