In a recent interview with Beliefnet , when asked if he believed the United States was a "Christian Nation", Mcain responded:

"I would probably have to say yes, that the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation. But I say that in the broadest sense. The lady that holds her lamp beside the golden door doesn't say, "I only welcome Christians." We welcome the poor, the tired, the huddled masses. But when they come here they know that they are in a nation founded on Christian principles."

The ADL and NJDC both expressed deep disagreement with McCain's statement.

McCain has also declared that he would send former Secretary of State James Baker, a pro-Arabist to mediate the Israel-Palestinean crisis.

McCain is not the first Republican candidate to show a disregard for U.S. Jews:

* Senator Fred Thompson's campaign chair is former Michigan Senator and Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, who has not been supportive of Israel.

* Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) has opposed every bill supporting Israel in Congress

* Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romeny brought criticism for announcing his candidacy at the Ford Museum, named for anti-Semitic businessman Henry Ford

* Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's foreign policy team is almost exclusively made up of the same Neo-Con advisors who advocated for the Iraq War under Bush

* Brent Scrowcroft, a close associate of James Baker is foreign policy advisor to McCain.