Greater Philadelphia and Pittsburgh ZOA: Mastriano’s Statement Falls Short – He Must Repudiate Torba; Not Enough to Say Antisemite “Doesn’t Speak” for Him

July 29, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Zionist Organization of America’s Greater Philadelphia Chapter and Pittsburgh Chapter call on Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano to unequivocally and immediately specifically repudiate the anti-Jewish and anti-Zionist rhetoric and attacks made by Gab social media platform founder and CEO Andrew Torba, who is a vocal Mastriano supporter. Further, Mastriano must reject Torba’s endorsement and support.

Mastriano’s statement on the matter that he issued on July 28 (see it below) does not go far enough, and his minimizing of Jew-hatred by conflating it with economic issues and matters related to government policy in response to COVID are disturbing and insulting.

Greater Philadelphia ZOA and Pittsburgh ZOA together represent and serve the Jewish people, advance Zionism and support the pro-Israel community throughout the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Mastriano is the Republican Party’s nominee for governor of Pennsylvania for the general election in November. On Thursday, July 28, Sen. Mastriano posted a terse statement on the matter of Jew-hatred to his twitter feed – though not on his campaign web site. The statement (see below) neglects to repudiate Torba or any of his anti-Jewish claims, accusations and demands, and it lacks any apology for any discomfort his association with Torba and Gab may have caused Jewish Pennsylvanians.

Were he to become governor, Mastriano would represent nearly 13 million Pennsylvanians and among these are hundreds of thousands of Jewish Americans. Pennsylvania is America’s fifth most populous state.
Mastriano’s statement in its entirety:

“Andrew Torba doesn’t speak for me or my campaign. I reject anti-Semitism in any form. Recent smears by Democrats and the media are blatant attempts to distract Pennsylvanians from suffering inflicted by Democrat policies.
“While extremist speech is an unfortunate but inevitable cost of living in a free society, extremist policies are not – and the only candidate in this election who wants to impose extreme policies on Pennsylvania – inflation, crime, lockdowns, and mandates – is Josh Shapiro.”

While ZOA appreciates Sen. Mastriano issuing a statement on the subject of “anti-Semitism,” and clarifying that Torba “doesn’t speak for me or my campaign,” Mastriano’s words fall short of what is necessary to put the minds of Pennsylvania’s Jews at ease given the breadth and frequency of Torba’s anti-Jewish verbal assaults — and Mastriano’s use of this situation to wage a political attack is unseemly.

Please see our entire statement at:

https://philly.zoa.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/07/updated-statement-news-release-mastriano-torda-gab-philadelphia-pittsburgh-.pdf

City of Philadelphia, Agencies Promote Anti-Jewish Movement and Agenda, Inciting Hatred, Endangering Jews

The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Zionist Organization of America today released a report documenting and detailing a campaign by the government of Philadelphia and some of its agencies to incite Jew-hatred, delegitimize Jewish heritage and history, and falsely accuse Israel – the nation state of the Jewish People – of atrocities. This is occurring as elected officials and the Free Library of Philadelphia promote a Palestinian-Arab movement that has as its goal the destruction of Israel: the world’s largest Jewish community, and as the School District of Philadelphia associates with three organizations that have a record of promoting and/or supporting Jew-hatred or seeking to harm Israel.

The 27-page report cites example-after-example of manifestations of Jew-hatred as well as relationships that Philadelphia agencies have with anti-Jewish/anti-Zionist/anti-Israel entities, and other promotions of anti-Jewish figures — plus distortions of historical and contemporary situations. It includes many screen shots and photos that capture examples of items and situations described in the report. There is also a two-page executive summary.

For a copy of the report and/or the summary, please email us at [email protected]

Greater Philadelphia ZOA is excited to announce our Gala Ad Journal/Tribute Book is now taking space reservations and that you can begin placing ads for a business or service; notices to congratulate and thank our Greater Philadelphia ZOA Gala honorees, Ruth C. and Mort Gleit, and Drs. Marguerite Werrin ^z’’l and Ronald Werrin; or to assert your support for Israel and/or ZOA. The deadline for ads and notices is December 13.
Please read this entire item as there are important instructions below.

National ZOA and ZOA’s regions throughout the country are teaming up to present the 2021 ZOA Virtual Superstar Gala on Sunday, Dec. 19. Speakers will include Israeli PM Naftali Bennett, former U.S. Sec. of State Mike Pompeo and ZOA National President Morton Klein. See the full lineup in the photo immediately below.

Our Gala Ad Journal/Tribute Book will be featured during the Gala, available indefinitely on the internet, emailed to our vast list and posted on social media.

Please take advantage of this opportunity to congratulate and thank our Greater Philadelphia ZOA honorees … and/or promote your business or service or a business or servive provider that you have a relationship.

Proceeds benefit the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Zionist Organization of America’s educational, advocacy and outreach initiatives and programs.

There are three ways to place an ad or notice: on the internet, by mail or by phone. Please see below images of our brochure, a link to download and/or print out the brochure, and instructions about how you can support Greater Philadelphia ZOA by participating in the Ad Journal Tribute Book. If you have any questions, please call our Office at 610-660-9466.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Our 2021 Gala Ad Journal/Tribute Book brochure:

See a PDF version of the brochure which you can printout and/or download at: https://philly.zoa.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/gala-2021-ad-blank-form-reformatted-for-email-.pdf

Make a donation in exchange for an ad or congratulatory notice online at: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E12503&id=38

Please take note: At each donation/ad/notice level/amount, there is a drop-down menu. Please be sure that you select Greater Philadelphia Region to designate that your donation goes to our chapter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shalom ZOA Members, Friends and Supporters of Israel,

We hope that you and your loved ones are well.

We are delighted to announce our honorees for our 2021 Virtual Gala: Two truly deserving couples. Please see the graphic below for the names of our honorees. They will be part of a national lineup of honorees and speakers that will include Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, former United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and ZOA’s National President – our own Morton Klein. The Gala will take place on Sunday, Dec. 19, and you can enjoy it all from the comfort of your home!

In the coming weeks we will offer details about our honorees’ wide, varied and important activities on behalf of the Jewish People, Zionism and Israel.

Please join us in congratulating them and thanking them for all that they have done!

You can publicly thank and congratulate them with a notice in our annual Gala Tribute Book and Ad Journal, where you can also promote a business or service.

The Journal website and form will be available shortly. Check your email inbox. Please support Greater Philadelphia ZOA’s vital work with your notice or ad.

Call us if you would like more information or have questions at 610-660-9466.

Greater Philadelphia ZOA plans to have elections later this year both for officers and for members of our Board of Directors. Your wisdom, experience, know-how and commitment to Israel and the Jewish People can help our chapter succeed and accomplish more as a part of our inner circle. Brainstorm and work closely with some of our region’s most dedicated Zionists to promote Israel and Zionism, strengthen the US-Israel relationship in our region and defend the Jewish community.

All members in good standing are eligible for consideration. To learn more, please call Executive Director Steve Feldman at 610-660-9466