The New Republic’s John B. Judis defends Rep. Jim Moran from charges of antisemitism over remarks he made to Tikkun magazine about Aipac, American Jewry and the Iraq War:

Moran has certainly made his share of reckless and ill-founded statements–some of which have been directed at Jews. Four years ago, Moran said that “if it were not for the strong support of the Jewish community for this war with Iraq, we would not be doing this.” That statement is false and reprehensible. But in this case, it is Moran’s critics who are making reckless charges. And although the controversy may remain confined to the Beltway, it’s no small matter when a politician is accused of anti-Semitism. This kind of charge, if wielded without caution, makes it more difficult for politicians and policy-makers to have a frank and open discussion about American foreign policy in the Middle East.

Judis’s defense is that much of what Moran said to Tikkun is actually correct.

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