Kevin Rader For Florida State Senate: Candidate Burkert attacks Rep. Rader for Support of Pro-Israel Org.
PALM BEACH COUNTY (July 30, 2010) – Rep. Rader, former Congressman Robert Wexler and Congressman Ted Deutch all responded today to Pete Burkert for attacking Rep. Rader’s contributions to a pro-Israel organization.
The mail piece, which Burkert sent to voters this week, claims that Rep. Rader gave thousands of dollars to “a political action committee that’s funneled more than $100,000 to right-wing Republicans.” The committee, called Because I Care PAC, is a non-partisan group that is dedicated to supporting pro-Israel politicians. In the 2010 cycle, 54% of the group’s contributions have gone to Democrats including local Congressman Ron Klein and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In addition, the founder of the pro-Israel group has hosted events for local Congressmen Robert Wexler and Ted Deutch.
“I am dumbfounded that Pete Burkert would attack anyone’s support for the State of Israel,” Rep. Rader said today, adding, “Politics is one thing, but I will never apologize for supporting Israel or Jewish organizations. This commitment runs deep for my family and for this community.”
Former Congressman Robert Wexler, now President of the Center for Middle East Peace, had this to say: “My friend Kevin has been a heartfelt supporter of Israel his entire life. His contributions to “Because I Care PAC” are just a part of his dedication to fight the international campaign to delegitimize Israel. Pete Burkert’s willingness to attack pro-Israel groups to score political points raises a disturbing red flag to me. It raises the question, whose side is he really on? ”
Congressman Ted Deutch issued this statement on Burkert’s smears, “I’m proud to have worked with Kevin to defend Israel, which is America’s greatest friend in the international community. I strongly urge Mr. Burkert to refrain from launching these inappropriate attacks that impugn Kevin for his lifelong commitment to the State of Israel. Let me be clear, no one should be attacked for their support of Israel.”
Representative Rader, who is Jewish, has long been a supporter of Israel. He is a member of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, and many other Jewish organizations. Rep. Rader and his wife, Rabbi Amy Rader, regularly travel to Israel, where they recently celebrated their son Caleb’s bar mitzvah.
Last session in Tallahassee, he sponsored with Congressman (then-Senator) Ted Deutch a bill that would have divested Florida’s government from companies that do business with Iran, a country that has promised to destroy the state of Israel and do harm to American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
