BDS threats in Maryland’s Districts 15, 18 and 39

Maryland voters have been engaged in mail-in voting since June, early voting since July 7 and will be going to the polls on Primary Election Day next Tuesday, July 19.

Through a groundbreaking joint project of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington and Washington Jewish Week, area voters have been provided a richly informative 2022 MD Primary Jewish Voters Guide for all contested Maryland primary races, including governor, state Senate, delegate, attorney general and controller, and for Montgomery County executive, at-large and district councilmembers. We encourage readers to access the Guide for comprehensive information about each of the candidates.

Click here.

While all of the primary races are important, there are three races for Maryland’s legislature that involve candidates who support and advocate for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against the State of Israel, and all of the anti-Israel bias that includes. We encourage voters to reject the pro-BDS platforms and anti-Israel bias of Democrats Saqib Ali (District 15), Max Socol (District 18) and Gabe Acevero (District 39).

In District 15, which includes Potomac and much of the surrounding area, Democratic candidates David Fraser-Hidalgo, Linda Foley and Lily Qi bring experience and a record of community-building, legislative or public service success to the race. Ali, on the other hand, has a disturbing history of anti-Israel advocacy and a very troubling soap opera-like record of domestic abuse allegations and related court proceedings.

In District 18, which includes Silver Spring, Wheaton, Bethesda, Kensington, Chevy Chase, Rockville and Garrett Park, incumbent Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher (D) has a stellar record of service to his constituents and has been a leading state advocate on issues ranging from criminal justice reform to protection of those with disabilities. Waldstreicher also serves on the boards of the Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington and JSSA. In contrast, Max Socol supports BDS and advances antisemitic tropes about Jewish control of the media and Jewish control of the world of politics.

In District 39, which includes Montgomery Village, Washington Grove and parts of Gaithersburg, Germantown and Clarksburg, Democratic incumbents Sen. Nancy King and Del. Kirilll Reznick have served their constituents well and have been responsive to the needs of our community. Incumbent Del. Gabe Acevero (D), on the other hand, supports BDS and has endorsed the candidacy of fellow traveler Saqib Ali in District 15.

The Maryland legislature has enough on its plate without having to worry about the noise, distraction and hate-filled rhetoric of those seeking to demonize Israel and eliminate the Jewish state. We encourage voters to reject the Israel-haters.