Morton Klein slams Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro over Netanyahu comments
Morton Klein, national president of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), denounced Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Oct. 13, 2026, after the governor said he hoped Israeli voters would remove Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from office.
Klein, a Pennsylvania resident who has known Shapiro for three decades, called the governor’s comments "shameful" and "disgraceful," arguing they were driven by personal political ambition rather than genuine support for Israel.
"Shapiro is not a friend of Israel. He is nothing but a political animal. That's all he cares about," Klein told the Washington Free Beacon.
Shapiro, a likely 2028 Democratic presidential contender, made the remarks during a campaign debate held on Oct. 7, the anniversary of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel. He said, "The people of Israel will determine who their leader should be. I hope it's not Benjamin Netanyahu. I think he has led Israel down a very dangerous and isolated path." He added that a strong U.S.-Israel relationship was impossible while Netanyahu remained in power.
The governor has a long personal connection to Israel, having attended Jewish day school, proposed marriage to his wife on a trip to Israel, and endured an antisemitic firebombing at his residence on Passover. Nonetheless, he has repeatedly criticized Netanyahu, describing his government as fracturing bipartisan U.S. support for Israel.
Klein’s condemnation marks at least the second time this year that Shapiro’s distancing from Netanyahu has drawn fire from pro‑Israel groups. The ZOA’s response underscores a broader rift between the organization and Democratic officials who have become more vocal in questioning Netanyahu’s leadership ahead of Israel’s election on Oct. 27, 2026.
As the Pennsylvania governor race heads toward the November ballot, observers note that Shapiro’s stance could influence his national profile, especially if he pursues a presidential bid. Klein warned that prioritizing political aspirations over steadfast Israel support could damage both the governor’s reputation and the U.S.-Israel partnership.
