In an effort to deflect from his embattled record and ethical issues surrounding his family bank’s ties to the mafia, Illinois Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias (D-IL) attacked his opponent, U.S. Representative Mark Kirk (R-IL), for opposing a U.S. military option in Iran and falsely claiming Kirk wanted to "let Israel handle it."
The attack on Kirk - an established pro-Israel champion who engineered the Iran Refined Sanctions Petroleum Act and won the deployment of a U.S. X-Band radar to Israel - was an obvious attempt by Giannoulias to smear his opponent in the Jewish community and claim to be the "more pro-Israel" candidate in the race.
In light of his attack on Kirk, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) called on Giannoulias to explain his close family ties and past support for a known anti-Israel foundation in Chicago.
In 2006, Giannoulias served as Vice President and Chief Loan Officer of his family-owned Broadway Bank, where he bragged in a recent interview: "I did everything there." A closer look at the contributions made by Giannoulias’ family bank to the Crossroad Funds - a left-wing Chicago foundation - reveals a disconcerting trend:
In 2006, records show that Giannoulias’ Broadway Bank contributed between $1,000 and $5,000 to the Crossroad Funds, which provided a $4,000 grant to the Committee for a Just Peace in Israel & Palestine in 2006
In 2007, records show that Broadway Bank elevated to the Crossroads’ "$5,000 & Above" gift level, while the foundation provided another $4,000 to the Committee for a Just Peace in Israel & Palestine.
In 2008, records show Broadway Bank continued its contributions to Crossroads, while the foundation provided another $4,000 to the Committee for a Just Peace in Israel & Palestine.
While 2009 records are not yet available, Crossroads expanded its anti-Israel grants beyond another $3,500 for the Committee for a Just Peace in Israel & Palestine - this time adding another $1,000 for the Electronic Intifada. Moreover, the Giannoulias-backed foundation honored Electronic Intifada at its 2009 annual benefit.
"The Giannoulias family’s support for fringe anti-Israel activity in Chicago is shocking. For supporters of Israel, the Illinois Senate race in November pits Congressman Mark Kirk, who has served as an independent leader and pro-Israel champion, against 33-year-old Alexi Giannoulias, whose family bank boasts strong ties to fringe anti-Israel organizations in Chicago. The contrast in this election could not be more clear," said NRSC spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson Marchand.
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