Image by Getty Images

A talk-show caller accused a Jewish U.S. senator, Ben Cardin, of dual loyalty to Israel.

Eric from Georgia said on C-SPAN that the Maryland Democrat, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, should disclose that he is Jewish when discussing U.S.-Iran relations.

“Mr. Cardin looks like a regular white guy, nice guy, whatever, but in actuality he’s a Jewish white guy,” Eric said Wednesday. “If the public was informed of that by C-SPAN, I think they would take his comments differently.”

Cardin appeared on C-SPAN to discuss his reactions to the Iran nuclear deal signed on Tuesday, which he has said raises “a lot of questions.”

Eric accused Cardin of having “a conflict of interest.”

“Because this guy is Jewish, that means that he is concerned about Israel,” the caller said.

Cardin took the caller to task for accusing him of having a dual loyalty due to his Jewish heritage.

“I’m normally pretty tolerant to people who ask questions, but I’m not to your assumption. I take great offense to that,” Cardin said in response. “Our loyalty is to America, our concerns are with America, our religion is our personal business and should have nothing to do with an evaluation from anyone as to our objectivity on issues concerning America.”

Why I became the Forward’s editor-in-chief

You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.

And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.

That’s where you come in. Gifts of any size keep the Forward free and accessible to everyone and ensure we have the resources we need to power the Forward at this critical time for American Jews.

Don't just read the Forward - invest in it. Will you support our work today?

— Alyssa Katz, editor-in-chief

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$120 $180 $360 OTHER AMOUNT