Haim Saban was one of the most generous benefactors of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
By MICHAEL WILNERUpdated: DECEMBER 4, 2016 06:41Haim Saban(photo credit: REUTERS)
WASHINGTON – One of the largest Democratic donors of the 2016 election cycle declared his passionate opposition to Rep. Keith Ellison’s bid for chairmanship of the party on Friday night, calling him a disaster to US-Israeli relations should he be elected to the post.Before his own forum hosted with the Brookings Institution, at its opening gala dinner at the Willard Hotel in Washington, Israeli- American billionaire Haim Saban said that the congressman’s past writings and statements were antisemitic.“Keith Ellison would be a disaster for relations with the Jewish community and for the future of the Democratic Party,” he said.Ellison, who in 2010 wrote that US foreign policy in the Middle East is “governed by what is good or bad through a country of 7 million people,” has come under fire from Jewish organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League, which this week called his comments disqualifying.The megadonor – one of the most generous benefactors of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton – spoke after a question and answer session with Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, moderated by CNN’s Jake Tapper.Dozens of congressmen were in attendance at the forum, as well as top Israeli government officials.