Eileen Filler-Corn, a candidate for the seat in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, is leaning too hard into her pro-Israel views for some of the Democrats she led for years as the first Jewish speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates.
Avram “Avi” Fechter, chairman of the Loudoun County Democrats, announced this week the local party was dismayed with the way she launched her campaign. The committee, in turn, voted to take a $1,000 donation Ms. Filler-Corn gave to their group and redirect it to the Red Cross Israel and Gaza relief fund.
“We did not feel comfortable keeping this money given the timing and nature of Filler-Corn’s announcement,” Mr. Fechter said in a statement. “She is distracting from the immediate task of supporting our candidates on the ballot on November 7th and is seeking to leverage the horrible events of the past two weeks for her personal political gain.”
Mr. Fechter was alluding to Ms. Filler-Corn’s launch of her campaign in an exclusive interview with Jewish Insider in which she touted her faith and her support for Israel following the Hamas attack.
“My connection to Judaism, my connection to the State of Israel, to the security of Israel, has always been part of who I am,” Ms. Corn-Filler said in her interview with Jewish Insider. “I am a very proud American Jew. I’m proud of my connection to Israel. I always speak out about my experiences in Israel and the importance of having a strong Israel-U.S. relationship, but also the importance of standing up to terrorism and against Hamas.”
A spokesperson for the Filler-Corn campaign pushed back.
“It is despicable that there is any insinuation that Eileen Filler-Corn, an American Jewish woman who has lived in Israel, who has family and friends directly impacted by the war, would be seeking to benefit from unprecedented tragedy,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said Ms. Filler-Corn has raised millions to help Democrats win elections and is focused on helping the party win seats in the General Assembly races next month.
Mr. Fechter did not respond to requests for comment from The Washington Times.
In his earlier statement, Mr. Fechter also pointed out that Ms. Corn-Filler does not live in the 10th Congressional District.
Rep. Jennifer Wexton, a Democrat, opted against seeking reelection next year for health reasons.
Mr. Fechter said the issue of Israel will not be a sticking point in the primary because the “vast majority” of Democrats in the district “fully support” Israel’s right to exist and right to defend itself.
“It is wrong to use the ongoing suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians as justification for a premature primary campaign announcement,” Mr. Fechter said.
The Israel-Hamas conflict has exposed divisions in the Democratic Party, which has historically backed Israel but has a growing pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel faction.
The Chicago City Council faced intense blowback last week from progressive activists — including one who held a sign that read “Free Palestine End Foreign Aid to Racist Regime” — when it took up a pro-Israel resolution last week.
Activists were so disruptive the council chamber eventually had to be cleared out.
The resolution condemned the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and reiterated the council’s support for Israel, saying the Jewish state “has the right and the obligation to protect its citizens.”
Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan has blamed President Biden’s pro-Israel rhetoric for stoking violence against Palestinians in Gaza.
“Your war and destruction only approach has opened my eyes and many Palestinian Americans and Muslim Americans like me,” Ms. Tlaib said on social media. “We will remember where you stood.”
Mr. Biden this past week signaled unwavering U.S. support for Israel when he became the first president to visit the Jewish nation in wartime.
“In the wake of Hamas’ appalling terrorist assault — it was brutal, inhumane, almost beyond belief what they did — this Cabinet came together and, standing strong, standing united — I want you to know that you are not alone. You are not alone,” Mr. Biden said.
Mr. Biden also said that the many Palestinians living in Hamas-controlled Gaza do not support the terrorist group. He announced a $100 million aid package for Palestinians caught in the crossfire.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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