Regardless of who’s telling the truth, the controversy exposes the tightrope politicians walk when they even appear with Islamic activists in a state with a strong and influential Jewish population, which leans heavily Democratic. Republicans have been feverishly trying to turn more Jewish support to the GOP, claiming Democrats are too soft on Israel.
At the same time the Nelson-Bedier dispute surfaced last week on a conservative-leaning website dedicated to monitoring Islamic radicalism, President Obama drew fire from Israel hawks and conservatives for not rebuking French President Nikolas Sarkozy when he was accidentally overheard telling the Democrat that Israel’s leader is a “liar.”
Nelson has gone to great lengths to fashion himself as pro-Israel. Conservative groups like the Republican Jewish Coalition — tied to Nelson opponent Adam Hasner, a former state House GOP leader from Delray Beach — say Nelson hasn’t backed Israel enough.
Conservatives were quick to criticize Nelson for appearing at all with Bedier, a leading spokesman for the burgeoning and politically active Arab community in the Tampa Bay region, a proving ground for controversy.
Bedier gained a measure of political fame and infamy amid his public calls for a fair trial and treatment of former University of South Florida professor Sami Al-Arian, who was charged in federal court for aiding terrorists.
Read more at The Sacramento Bee)
