US lawmaker meets with Jewish groups after ‘termites’ apology
Representative Hank Johnson had said settlements were “almost like termites [that] can get into a residence and eat before you know that you’ve been eaten up and you fall in on yourself.”
By JTAUpdated: AUGUST 5, 2016 10:10Rep. Hank Johnson (photo credit: US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES)
WASHINGTON— Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., met with Jewish leaders in Atlanta after apologizing for likening the settlement movement to termites.“Appreciate meeting w/ @AJCGlobal today to open important dialogue,” Johnson said in a tweet Tuesday after meeting with the local office of the American Jewish Committee. The AJC office tweeted soon after: “Thank you @RepHankJohnson for addressing our concerns & your sincere apology. #buildingbridges.”Johnson, addressing an event organized by the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation during last week’s Democratic convention in Philadelphia, had said settlements were “almost like termites [that] can get into a residence and eat before you know that you’ve been eaten up and you fall in on yourself.”After criticism from the Anti-Defamation League, he apologized for what he said in a tweet was a “poor choice of words” but added: “Point is settlement activity continues slowly undermine 2-state solution.”When ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a response that describing settlement as “termites” deserved an apology with no further rationalization, Johnson, in a subsequent tweet, agreed.“You’re right @JGreenblattADL I sincerely apologize for the offensive analogy. Period,” he said.The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that Johnson also met with The Atlanta Jewish Times, which in an editorial had condemned his remarks.