Jewish Labor Committee Welcomes Election Results
New York, November 6, 2008 – The following is the statement of Jewish Labor Committee President Stuart Appelbaum:
The historic election of Barack Obama and Joe Biden is welcome news to all Jews who share a commitment to economic justice, religious pluralism, and Israel's security. After suffering through eight years of the most reactionary presidency in modern times, we look forward to the administration in implementing the progressive reforms our nation desperately needs.
As an organization committed to a strong Israel, the Jewish Labor Committee believes that President-Elect Obama’s rejection of the Bush administration's brinkmanship will help ease tensions throughout the Middle East and, in doing so, create new opportunities for lasting, diplomatic solutions to the threats facing Israel.
Similarly, as organized labor's advocate within the Jewish community, the Jewish Labor Committee also looks forward to the administration's leadership in addressing working family issues, including passage of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). We believe restoring the right of workers to freely organize unions is fundamental to building a robust labor movement and, with it, a more prosperous and democratic America.
Over the course of this year's presidential campaign, the Jewish Labor Committee has looked with alarm and dismay at efforts to use misinformation to undermine support for Senator Obama within the Jewish community. However, as evidenced by the fact that Senators Obama and Biden won the support of 78 percent of Jewish voters, it is clear that this effort was completely repudiated.
We look forward to working with President Obama on all the issues of shared value to the Jewish community and the labor movement.