Jewish Democrat who supports recognition of a Palestinian state elected to Congress in Illinois

Democrat Daniel Biss, who advocates for recognition of a Palestinian state and restrictions on military aid to Israel, has been elected to the U.S. Congress from Illinois. He will fill the seat vacated by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. Biss is Jewish, his mother is Israeli, and his grandparents survived the Holocaust. During his campaign, he clashed with the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC. Following his victory, the Anti-Defamation League expressed concern over his views and his past responses to anti-Israel protests. The Jewish organization J Street, in turn, defended Biss and strongly condemned the criticism against him.