Jewish Dems Slam Plan for Secretary Pompeo to Address Republican National Convention from Jerusalem

WASHINGTON – In response to reports that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will address the Republican National Convention from Jerusalem, while on official travel, Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) Executive Director Halie Soifer issued the following statement:

“It is unprecedented and highly unethical for a sitting Secretary of State to address a political convention while on official foreign travel. In addition to violating the Hatch Act, Secretary Pompeo’s plans to speak at the Republican National Convention from Jerusalem underscore the president’s ongoing effort to politicize the U.S.-Israel relationship.

“Just last week, President Trump claimed that he ‘moved the capital of Israel to Jerusalem – that’s for the Evangelicals,’ demonstrating that he views U.S. policy toward Israel solely through a self-serving political lens. By arranging for Secretary Pompeo to speak to the RNC while on official travel in Jerusalem, Trump is once again using Israel to score political points.

“Jewish voters see through this cheap political stunt and reject Trump’s ongoing use of Israel as a political wedge issue. The U.S.-Israel relationship has been, and should remain, a bipartisan issue, and – in addition to the Republican-only U.S. Embassy opening in 2018 – U.S. taxpayers should not pay for politicized State Department activity in Israel.”

For more information or to speak with Halie Soifer, contact [email protected].