Republican Jewish Coalition Says Supporting Blockade Of Gaza Is A Litmus Test For Congress

The Republican Jewish Coalition, a hawkish pro-Israel group which claims that "Israel is our only ally that has never asked for American blood to be shed in her defense," is running a new attack ad against Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA).  In particular, the ad goes after Sestak for signing onto a J Street-backed letter asking President Obama to urge Israel to lift its blockade of Gaza.  In a press release, the group refers to Sestak as belonging to the "Gaza 54."

The ad suggests that in signing the letter — which was also supported by prominent human rights groups including Rabbis for Human Rights and The American Near East Refugee Association — Sestak sided with Hamas and against Israel.  Matthew Brooks, executive director of the group, told the Jewish Exponent, "I think there are real litmus tests you face in Congress, and on many of the key tests, Joe Sestak has been a major disappointment." 

Supporting a foreign country's policy of collective punishment should not be a litmus test for Congress.  Beyond that though, it's a fact that even the Israeli government, which maintained the blockade was purely a security measure — but which blocked consumer goods like chocolate and children's toys from entering Gaza — has since eased the blockade.  The ad's suggestion that Sestak sides with Hamas is particularly egregious since the letter specifically pointed out the blockade was strengthening Hamas and therefore putting more innocent Palestinians and Israelis in harm's way.

As Gershon Baskin explained in the Jerusalem Post, "The economic siege was meant to weaken Hamas and to apply pressure on it to release Gilad Schalit.  The policy has accomplished neither. Instead, Hamas is stronger and richer and Israel is isolated and condemned by the international community."

Read our entire fact check of the ad here.