Praises Sen. Cardin’s Commitment to Israel, Announces Opposition to Trone and Alsobrooks Call for Unilateral Ceasefire and Van Hollen-Led Efforts to Cut Off Military Aid For Israel
Governor Larry Hogan today expressed his ardent support for Israel in an address to the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington–his first major policy speech as a candidate for the United States Senate.
In his address at the Beth Sholom Congregation in Potomac, Governor Hogan spoke to his record of strengthening ties between Maryland and Israel, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Maryland’s Jewish community, and condemned the rise of antisemitism in the wake of Hamas’ October 7th terrorist attack.
“I believe the days and months following the horrific attacks of October 7th were one of those critical moments that represent a time for choosing…America needs to stand up for our allies and stand up to our enemies,”Governor Hogan said. “The fight to support Israel and to confront the epidemic of anti-semitism in our society has only just begun. Maryland needs a pro-Israel champion in the United States Senate who will stand up and fight for our closest and most important ally. If I have the honor of becoming your next Senator, that is exactly what I will be.”
During his remarks, Governor Hogan praised Sen. Ben Cardin’s long standing support for Israel, and denounced Sen. Chris Van Hollen and other Maryland politicians for turning their back on Israel and Maryland’s Jewish community in their time of need. Earlier this week, 70 Maryland Rabbis sent a letter to Sen. Van Hollen urging him to stop promulgating rhetoric that mischaracterizes Israel, alienates Jewish Marylanders, and “undermine[s] America’s support for the Jewish state.” Democratic candidates Congressman David Trone and County Executive Angela Alsobrooks have called for a unilateral ceasefire.
“I have a great deal of respect for Senator Ben Cardin. Ben should be commended for his consistent and strong support for Israel in the face of pressure from the loudest and angriest voices. I want you to know that if I have the honor of becoming your next Senator, that is exactly the kind of leadership you will continue to see from me,” Governor Hogan said. “Sadly, this type of leadership has become far too rare in Washington. That is not what you are getting from Maryland’s Junior Senator—who has become one of the most hostile voices to Israel in the entire United States Senate and just this week signed an outrageous letter urging President Biden to cut off military aid to Israel. Both of my potential Democratic opponents in this race have demanded that Israel enact an immediate and unilateral ceasefire and they have even compared Israel’s actions of self defense to the atrocities of October 7th.”
Governor Hogan has always worked to protect Maryland’s Jewish community and strengthen Maryland’s economic and cultural ties with Israel. He traveled to Israel in one of his first trade missions as Governor and recruited Israeli company Elta, which produced technology for Israel’s “Iron Dome” defense system, to base their North America headquarters in Maryland.
Governor Hogan also protected Maryland’s Jewish schools and synagogues from forced closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, and led governors across the country in pushing back against the anti-Israel “Boycott, Divest, Sanction” (BDS) movement.
The full text of Governor Hogan’s address, as prepared for delivery, is available here.
