Alsobrooks sidesteps the debate on whether she would be more like Cardin or Van Hollen when it comes to Israel

At Maryland’s first and only Senate debate held Thursday evening, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks sidestepped a question about whether her position as a senator on Israel is more consistent with that of outgoing Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD). would steadfast supporter of Israel, or Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), who has emerged as one of the Jewish state’s leading critics in the Senate.

Alsobrooks, a Democrat, is running against former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan in the solidly Democratic state’s unusually closely contested Senate race.

“I was very fortunate to have the support of both Senator Van Hollen and Senator Cardin, and we have a great delegation that I have worked with on this matter over the years. As senator, I will be Angela Alsobrooks,” she said.

She later added that she had attended Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s joint speech to Congress, which Van Hollen had omitted.

Hogan, the former two-term Republican governor, responded that he would be “a strong supporter of Israel, as I have always been.” I will be an advocate of Israel, more like Ben Cardin, rather than trying to equivocate or to represent both sides or to follow Chris Van Hollen, who is probably the most anti-Israel member of the US Senate.”

Alsobrooks further explained her views on the Middle East: “Let me tell you what I believe: We recognize a terrible attack that took place in Israel on October 7th, and I believe that at this moment we have a duty to ensure that we must bring these hostages home to their families and arrange a ceasefire, while also ensuring that we bring aid to the suffering Palestinians in Gaza. We must reach a two-state solution so that we have peace and security in Israel and peace, security and self-determination for the Palestinians in Gaza.”

Alsobrooks added: “In the longer term, our multilateral relationships with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan will be necessary to isolate Iran and achieve the long-term stability we need.” But I support Israel and support his Right to defend yourself and I will continue to support this alliance.”

Hogan took aim at Alsobrooks for changing her position on offensive military aid to Israel, saying, “I disagree with my opponent who called for a halt to military aid to Israel and called for an immediate ceasefire.” Alsobrooks said in May, that she would vote against future arms sales to Israel if the IDF invaded Rafah, and agreed with the Biden administration’s threat to withhold offensive weapons.

“Just this week we celebrated the enormous loss of life, the greatest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust, and we remember the victims and their families, as well as the hostages who are still being held. In moments like these, people must stand up and be counted, and we as a country must stand with our allies, and Israel is our most important ally, and we must stand up to our enemies. I don’t think you can try to find your way in the middle of this problem. I think there is no question that we must support Israel,” he continued.