Two GOP lawmakers asked the Obama administration to explain the involvement of a State Department-funded dialogue group with an Israeli get-out-the-vote effort.
“There appears to be a danger that U.S. taxpayer funds are being used to directly shape the outcome of the upcoming Israeli election — and specifically to campaign against Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu — something all would agree would be highly inappropriate,” wrote Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Lee Zeldin (D-N.Y.). Their letter was sent Jan. 29 to Secretary of State John Kerry.
The letter arose from reports in Haaretz that Jeremy Bird, the national field director for President Obama’s re-election campaign, is leading an Israeli get-out-the-vote effort, V15, which is partnered with the OneVoice movement. OneVoice was founded in 2002 during the second intifada to promote Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and the two-state solution.
Jen Psaki, the State Department spokeswoman, in statements on Jan. 28 and Jan. 29, said the group received $233,500 last year, disbursed before the Israeli elections were called and before OneVoice partnered with V15.
Bird is following a long tradition of U.S. campaign advisers working for Israelis. Netanyahu initiated the practice in the 1990s, and has used Obama campaign advisers in past elections. — jta