Groups of Muslim women who hounded Rep. Dennis Ross and his wife during the couple's recent visit to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem were paid to do so, Ross has revealed to
Newsmax TV.
On news footage seen around the world, the Florida Republican and his wife Cindy were seen at the historic site surrounded by veiled Muslim women chanting "Allah Akbar" and "Leave!"
But for some of the protesters, it was a paid appearance.
"We were told that some of them are paid — that they actually take up collections and contributions from various groups and they pay these young women to stand there in burkas and do this," Ross said Monday on "The Steve Malzberg Show."
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And women are chosen for a reason, he added.
"There may be more reason to be provoked by a man, but when it's a woman, you stand down … It was quite an experience, one you don't forget very easily," Ross said.
He said he is disappointed more than 30 Democrats, most from the Congressional Black Caucus, plan to boycott a speech Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make before Congress on Tuesday.
"It's all political and of those who should be supportive, if any, should be the Congressional Black Caucus," Ross said.
"When you look at the oppression … at the culture of enduring faith that the Jewish people have had since the beginning of time and you look at the oppression that the blacks have suffered not only here in this country but elsewhere around the world, there's a common bond there.
"They should be there ready to support Prime Minister Netanyahu. He's not only there to talk to Congress about the dreadful deal that our president is trying to negotiate [with Iran], but he's also there to talk to the American people about the significance of Israel and American relations as it goes to world peace."
Ross said the planned boycott sends "a poor message from a very good delegation of Americans."
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