Webber opposes Jewish values
State Assemblyman Jay Webber, who is running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, wrote in “Israel and the United States: An unshakeable partnership” (Opinion, Oct. 25) that he supports strong U.S.-Israel relations and decries terrorism. While clearly important for the Jewish community, solidarity with Israel should not be enough to win our votes if a candidate opposes so many of our central values as Jews, Americans, and New Jerseyans.
Webber is a crusader against equality for LGBTQ Americans, wants to turn back the clock on marriage equality, and even supports the discredited, and inhumane, practice of “conversion therapy” for gay and transgender youth. He opposes equal pay for women and women’s reproductive rights. He supports repeal of the Affordable Care Act that would deny health coverage to hundreds of thousands in our state with pre-existing conditions. And he is a hardcore proponent of guns with an A-rating from the NRA.
Candidates who don’t share our values on such a wide array of issues should not be given a pass just because they support Israel and criticize international terrorism. Webber’s Democratic opponent, Mikie Sherrill, is a Navy vet who is fully committed to Israel and the fight against terror, abroad and at home. Let’s send someone to Washington for District 11 who will fight for us, will support our international goals, including Israel, and will represent our fundamental values.
For me that can only be Mikie Sherrill.
Gideon Aronoff
West Orange
comments