Israel looms over LI senate race

In most communities, arguments over the Jewish state are not likely to play a large role in a local election (for Congress maybe —but for state Senate?). However, in the Five Towns and other heavily Jewish communities on Long Island, many residents have family members living and sometimes fighting in Israel, and this is a local issue.

In the April 19 special election to fill the Ninth Senate District seat vacated last December by former Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Democrat Todd Kaminsky and Republican Chris McGrath have each put their Israeli bona fides on display.

McGrath is a Hewlett Harbor attorney with deep roots on the South Shore. Kaminsky, of Long Beach, is a former federal prosecutor serving his first term in the Assembly.

The McGrath campaign is reminding voters that Kaminsky accepted an $11,000 campaign contribution from Jonathan Soros, son of billionaire George Soros. George Soros is a major benefactor of organizations, including J Street, that are perceived by some of Israel’s staunchest backers to be antagonistic to Israel’s interests.

Kaminsky counters that Jonathan Soros’ support has nothing to do with Israel but rather is based on a shared political priority:  their fight against political corruption and an advocacy of campaign finance reform. 

Kaminsky recalls his trip to Israel last year and says that he appreciates the country’s security concerns.

A tangible state legislative action involving Israel is reflected in a bill that would bar New York State entities from investing in businesses that encourage the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The bill quckly passed the Republican-controlled state Senate in January but is stalled in the Democrat-controlled Assembly, where Kaminsky is one of its sponsors. Similar legislation has been enacted and is pending in several other states.

A Kaminsky spokesman said this week that the Assemblyman would continue to push for action on the bill, but that when a bill is considered is, ultimately, “the speaker’s prerogative.”

This week, each campaign has an ad in The Jewish Star that deals exclusively with Israel.