Right-Wing Rabbis Condemn Forward For Calling Mort Klein ‘Threat’
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
A group of right-wing rabbis has denounced the Forward for publishing an opinion piece ripping Zionist Organization of America president Mort Klein as a “bigger threat” than Muslim civil rights activist Linda Sarsour.
“The public defamation of Morton Klein is a repugnant violation of Jewish law and evinces a gross disregard for Jewish values,” said Rabbi Steven Pruzansky, in a press release for the Coalition of Jewish Values, which claims the support of hundreds of rabbis.
He added: “The Forward has a skewed agenda in which support for Israel and the Jewish people, to which Mort Klein has dedicated his life, is somehow a vice, while indulging our mortal enemies is somehow a virtue.”
The Coalition for Jewish Values in its mission statement denounces “liberal Jewish movements” for having “abandoned” Jewish tradition to advocate “positions at odds with the Bible itself.”
The Forward published an op-ed on by opinion fellow Steven Davidson on August 3 titled “19 People Jews Should Worry About More Than Linda Sarsour.”
It faulted Klein for his defense of controversial Trump administration officials like Steve Bannon, saying that he was “cozying up to anti-Semitic forces if it advances the ZOA’s ardent Zionist goals.”
Contact Daniel J. Solomon at [email protected] or on Twitter @DanielJSolomon
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
