Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said today that she disagrees with the Democratic Party’s platform that excluded language that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.
“I disagree with that platform, and I think President Obama, however, can stand strongly on his record,” Gillibrand told reporters at the Democratic National Convention. “He is a friend of Israel. He cares deeply about Israel’s security.”
Gillibrand is a seeking her first full six-year term in November after being appointed to the post in 2009. Her Republican opponent Wendy Long knocked the party platform and linked Gillibrand to it.
Gillibrand said Republicans are engaged on an assault on women’s rights. She is speaking today at a EMILY’s List and Marie Claire event at the convention.
Gillibrand defended Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, over questions about Silver’s handling of sexual harassment charges against Assemblyman Vito Lopez, D-Brooklyn.
Silver is leading the New York delegation and will nominate Obama on behalf of the New York delegates tonight.
Gillibrand said that, “I think the speaker is perfectly poised to be able to offer our votes, and he will do so proudly on behalf of our state.”
Her stance drew a rebuke from Long, who said Gillibrand said House Speaker Dennis Hastert should step down in 2006 when he was embroiled in the Rep. Mark Foley sex scandal.
“It’s clear that Kirsten Gillibrand believes in defending women only when it’s to her political advantage,” Long said in a statement.
