ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA IN THE MEDIA JNS: Biden Nominee Pro-Iran, Hostile-to-Israel Kahl, Opposed by ZOA & CUFI, Moves to Senate Vote (MARCH 24, 2021 / JNS) Colin Kahl’s nomination for a top policy position at the Pentagon will proceed to a full Senate vote, where he is expected to be confirmed despite opposition by some pro-Israel groups over his role in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The nomination moved forward after a split vote by the Senate Armed Service Committee on Wednesday, with 13 Republicans in against and 13 Democrats in favor. Kahl, who worked at the Pentagon in the 2000s during the George W. Bush administration and under former Secretary Defense Robert Gates in the Obama administration from 2014 to 2017, is being considered for Undersecretary of Defense for Policy. Two prominent pro-Israel groups, Christians United for Israel and the Zionist Organization of America, strongly advocated for the Senate to reject Kahl’s nomination, with CUFI calling him a “serial Iran appeaser with close ties to Tehran’s allies in the United States.” In fact, CUFI launched a series of full-page ads in half-a-dozen newspapers across West Virginia to urge residents to contact Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin, a critical swing vote in the Senate, and ask him to oppose the nomination. Despite the pressure, Manchin voted in favor of Kahl in committee, even though he noted his reservations about his views on Iran. “[Coming to a decision] took me a long time,” he told reporters after the vote. “I went through everything I could. And we had many phone calls. We have a difference of opinion on Iran. And he knows what our difference is.” Although CUFI and the ZOA opposed Kahl’s confirmation, other prominent Jewish figures and groups, mainly Democrats, supported his nomination, including former ambassadors to Israel Dan Shapiro and Martin Indyk, as well as Jewish Democratic Council of America CEO Halie Soifer. This article was originally published in JNS and can also be viewed on our website. In Case You Missed It... You can find information on more of President Biden's appointments HERE. ‌ ‌ ‌ About Us News Videos ZOA Report Events Founded in 1897, ZOA played a key role in the Jewish State's re-establishment. Today, ZOA is the leading major American Jewish organization courageously defending Israel and the Jewish people; fighting against all forms of antisemitism, including anti-Jewish boycotts; and promoting the Jewish people's lawful right to live in and settle historic Jewish lands. ZOA exposes that a Palestinian state would endanger Israel's existence; presents the facts about the Arab/Islamic war against Israel; and combats the anti-Israel lie that Israel is an "occupier" of her own land. ZOA spearheaded long battles to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and apply civil rights protections to Jewish students. ZOA provides free legal assistance and programs to pro-Israel students at numerous college campuses. ZOA's bold, unapologetic voice has a significant impact on public discourse and policy. DONATE NOW Copyright © Zionist Organization of America 2021, All rights reserved. Zionist Organization of America | 633 Third Ave, 31 B, New York, NY 10017 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Customer Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]