Moderate Democrat Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) impressed me greatly when he first ran for Congress back in 2016 in my 5th District as being very well qualified with experience, know-how and the right temperament. With the rising emergence and influence of the Squad and the far-left progressive wing of the Democratic Party, the need for centrists who can work on both sides of the aisle is more important than ever.

Gottheimer has been allied with a bipartisan centrist group of representatives called the Problem-Solvers Caucus. Not making noise but getting things done by working together, which is sorely needed in DC. Rep. Gottenheimer garnered attention in 2019 when he and Rep. Luria were the two Jewish Members who called out Rep. Ilhan Omar for her antisemitic and hate tropes when she said about AIPAC, “It’s all about the Benjamins” (i.e., money), implying that Jews buy influence for Israel.

Soon after, in May 2021, Hamas instigated a 3,000-missile and rocket barrage against civilian targets in Israel. Rep. Omar tweeted in July 2021, “We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the U.S., Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan and the Taliban.” Omar was making a moral equivalent of Hamas (a declared terrorist organization) and Israel. This errant comment provoked Gottheimer and 11 other Jewish members of Congress to condemn Rep. Omar’s anti-Israel tropes. Sadly, 13 other Jewish members stayed silent while the “Squad” rushed to Omar’s defense, who now claims she is being victimized because of her race and religion by those who are rightfully calling her to task for her hateful tropes.

To add insult to injury, the Squad and progressives are now targeting Rep. Gottheimer in new attack ads as “The Leader’’ of nine moderate congressmen demanding that Speaker Pelosi bring the new bipartisan infrastructure bill to an immediate vote.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer and his eight colleagues should be lauded for their courage, staunch defense of Israel and bipartisanship, despite earning the wrath of Reps. Omar, Ocasio-Cortez and Tlaib. These opponents will use money and power to try to undermine Rep. Gottheimer. Hence the electorate and all those concerned about Israel and antisemitism should show their appreciation and support for Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who is standing up and calling out a vocal minority in Congress on occasion of their hateful and troubling statements about Israel.