What About Bob? (Or, One Indiana Republican’s Emerging Jewish Problem)
The GOP has finally settled on a candidate to run for mayor of Indianapolis, but businessman Bob Parker is already under fire for comments he made several weeks ago about the “wealthy Jewish faction inside the Democratic party” and support for war with Iran.
According to a report by Matt Tully of the Indianapolis Star, Parker made the questionable remarks when Tully asked him about his interest in the mayor’s race several weeks ago.
Here’s what Parker said, according to Tully:
I personally see Israel going into Iran and Syria in the next couple of months,” he said. “I’m sure you realize – well, most people don’t – millionaire Democrats outnumber millionaire Republicans about four to one. It’s mainly because of the wealthy Jewish faction inside the Democratic Party. Most Jewish people are Democrats and they bring that wealth. My opinion is, if Israel would go into Iran, Democrats will follow that cause. I really do believe that.”
The National Jewish Democratic Coalition is calling for Parker to be removed from the ticket.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news. All donations are still being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000 until April 24.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.

