The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 1000 traditional rabbis in matters of public policy, today expressed support for Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), whom billionaire gadfly Tom Steyer accused of committing a “straight-up anti-Semitic move” by calling attention to Mr. Steyer’s political contributions, along with those of fellow liberal activists George Soros and Michael Bloomberg.

“I have long known Kevin McCarthy to be a great friend of the American Jewish community and of Israel,” said Rabbi Dov Fischer, West Coast Regional VP of the CJV, “and what he said is not remotely anti-Semitic. That George Soros, Tom Steyer and Michael Bloomberg have invested heavily to influence the upcoming elections is a statement of fact. He clearly was not singling out these three men because of their Jewish ties.”

“Especially in the wake of the horrific attack at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh,” added Rabbi Yaakov Menken, Managing Director of the CJV, “Mr. Steyer should not diminish our important national dialogue about anti-Semitism by employing the phrase for partisan purposes.”

The CJV noted that Mr. Steyer has himself made a very similar remark to the one he now calls “anti-Semitic.” Earlier this year, Steyer suggested a quid pro quo connecting President Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran deal and a contribution by Sheldon Adelson to a Republican PAC shortly thereafter. Steyer commented that “there is something going on here that is very scary and very dangerous.”

The rabbinic organization also provided multiple examples of Rep. McCarthy’s long history of friendship. He leads freshmen Members of Congress on bipartisan trips to Israel, addressed AIPAC together with Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) each of the past three years, and recently led an event with Rep. Hoyer at the U.S. Holocaust Museum. In 2015, Rep. McCarthy was awarded by the American Friends of Lubavitch for his “strength … in helping to lead our great nation” and “exemplary demonstration of support for Israel.”