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(Ames) – Following the shooting death of 11 people in a Pittsburgh synagogue, religious leaders talk about Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King, known for supporting Nazi sympathizers and tweeting rhetoric white nationalist.
Letters were sent to state newspapers signed by 60 Iowans of different religions who called on elected officials to "support the Jewish community of Iowa, to denounce King's actions and to hold him accountable . "
John Pleasants, president of the Jewish congregation of Ames, said King's offensive rhetoric had undermined the state's reputation.
"For some of us, he went too far a long time ago, but I think many of his supporters have somehow tolerated some of his statements," Pleasants said. "Really this time, he went too far."
In August, King met Austrians from the far right with historical ties to the Nazis on a trip funded by a Holocaust memorial group. This has prompted companies such as Purina, Intel and Land O & # 39; Lakes to terminate financial contributions to King.
The Republican National Congress Committee also announced that it would not help fund King's bid for reelection. The congressman called the attacks "false news".
The Anti-Defamation League, an organization that monitors anti-Semitism throughout the country, said the number of anti-Semitic incidents had increased by nearly 60% in 2017 compared to 2016.
Pleasants says no one is trying to make a direct connection between King and what happened in Pittsburgh, but he believes that anti-Semitic statements can indirectly contribute to hate crimes.
"It's not just the Jewish community that is upset about this," he says. "Our Christians, Jews, Muslims and Buddhists are very saddened and preoccupied with the Pittsburgh events and believe that there is a connection between them."
For the first time, King's hometown newspaper – the Sioux City Journal – has approved King's Democratic challenger at the median session next week.
King has been in office since 2003 and won his last two re-election nominations with over 60% of the vote.
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