In Congress race, no Israel split: Rice

Democat Kathleen Rice said this week that she and her Republic rival Bruce Blakeman were on the same page regarding Israel — they are both strong supporters.

Rice, the Nassau District Attorney, told The Jewish Star “you will find there is very little dissent between us” over Israel.

Rice and Blakeman are seeking to succeed retiring Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, a Democrat, in the 4th CD that covers much of Nassau’s South Shore, including the Five Towns.

Like Blakeman, Rice visited Israel during this summer’s Gaza conflict. She said it was her second visit — the first was through Touro College 25 years ago.

During an hour-long interview which covered a range of issues important to the district, Rice highlighted her efforts as district attorney to combant anti-Semitism and other bias crimes in Nassau County, which she termed “significant” but not “an epidemic.”

Rice criticized President Obama’s posture toward Prime Minister Netanyahu, stating that “Israel has an absolute right to defend itself and to say anything other than that is to show a lack of suport.”

Excerpts from The Jewish Star’s interviews with Rice and Blakeman will appear in the newspaper’s Oct. 24 edition.