Apr 14, 2016 2 min read Nonsponsored

Lander One of Only Jewish Council Members That Did Not Sign Letter Endorsing Hillary

Photo: Councilman David Greendfield & Alex Ellefson/Bensonhurst Bean

Twelve members of City Council’s Jewish caucus, including Councilman David Greenfield and Councilman Mark Treyger, endorsed Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nominee in New York’s primary election next week, reports the Jewish Daily Forward.

“Hillary Clinton has delivered time and time again for New York, for the Jewish Community, and for Israel,” wrote Levine, who is chairman of the Jewish Caucus. “Whether winning funds to rebuild New York after 9/11 or exposing anti-Semitism in the Middle East and around the world, Hillary Clinton has been there for us.”

Also signing off on the statement was Councilmembers Stephen Levin and Alan Maisel from Brooklyn; Barry Grodenchick, Daniel Garodnick, Karen Koslowitz and Rory Lancman from Queens; Ben Kallos, Helen Rosenthal and Mark Levine from Manhattan, and Andrew Cohen from The Bronx.

Councilmembers Brad Lander and Chaim Deutsch did not sign the statement.

However, Kings County Politics reports that Lander will support Clinton, even thought he didn’t sign the letter.

“While I do support a great deal of Bernie’s policies and while his ideologies certainly align up with mine, for example I was one of the first to be on board with the fight for a $15 minimum wage in New York, I do support Hillary for the presidency,” said Lander, speaking to Kings County Politics.

“I think it’s time that we elect a president and not a good campaign organizer. so I do believe that Hillary is the right choice,” he added.

KCP reported that Deutsch did not return calls by post time.

Senator Bernie Sanders, the only Jewish candidate in the race, was not referenced in the statement, but he has drawn criticism from some Jewish New York legislators as well as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) when he misstated the number of casualties in the 2014 Gaza war in an interview with the New York Daily News.

“This is not a time for learning on the job — especially when it comes to the challenges facing Israel,” the statement reads.

Assemblyman Dov Hikind showed up at Sanders’ recent appearance in Midwood, in front of his old home on 26th Street and Kings Highway and took issue with Sanders’ comments.