FRIEND OF ISRAEL WINS HOUSE LEADERSHIP

Hoyer wins leadership (JTA)
U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), one of the pro-Israel community’s closest friends in the U.S. House of Representatives, was elected majority leader. The secret vote Thursday was one of only two contested votes for the new leadership of the Democratic Party after it wrested control of the House from the Republicans in last week’s elections.

Hoyer was challenged by Rep. Jack Murtha (D-Pa.), a former U.S. Marine who had emerged as one of the toughest critics of the Iraq war. In an unusual move, party leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), slated to become speaker, endorsed Murtha.

Hoyer has made a point of promoting bipartisan support of Israel, has urged freshmen lawmakers to join the numerous congressional delegations to Israel he has led, and has isolated Democrats who have been strongly critical of the Jewish state. According to Roll Call, the tally was 149 votes for Hoyer and 86 for Murtha.