A national Jewish organization is criticizing comments made about Israel by a candidate for Congress in New Hampshire.Democrat Heath Howard said on WMUR’s “CloseUp” that he does not think Israel has a right to exist in the same sense that people have a right to exist.”I think that Hamas has definitely — there are a number of condemnable actions that they’ve taken,” Howard said. “And like any sort of government, I don’t think that Hamas has a right to exist. I don’t think Israel has a right to exist. I think that people have a right to exist. And I think that that is really the focus of what we need to be doing in terms of that humanitarian crisis.”Howard’s words are drawing criticism from Jewish leaders, including the president and founder of J Street, a progressive organization that supports a two-state solution.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go <<“We shouldn’t be questioning whether the state of Israel has a right to exist, and I think that that conversation is a little strange and a little ‘out there,'” said J Street president Jeremy Ben-Ami. “These states exist. Other states recognize them. The United Nations created them, and they’re not going anywhere.”Howard responded with a statement, saying: “There is no such concept in international law as a state’s ‘right to exist.’ People, including Jewish, Palestinian and Lebanese people have a right to exist. I unequivocally condemn Hamas’ violence against civilians. However, that does not justify indiscriminate violence against Palestinians.”Howard’s words are also prompting reaction within the 1st District Democratic primary. Andru Volinsky, a leading progressive who supports a different candidate in the race, said it doesn’t seem like Howard thought through how his statements would land with the Jewish community.”It could have been offhand. It could have been thoughtless,” Volinsky said. “There’s not been an apology, a retraction. That’s a real problem.”

MANCHESTER, N.H. —

A national Jewish organization is criticizing comments made about Israel by a candidate for Congress in New Hampshire.

Democrat Heath Howard said on WMUR’s “CloseUp” that he does not think Israel has a right to exist in the same sense that people have a right to exist.

“I think that Hamas has definitely — there are a number of condemnable actions that they’ve taken,” Howard said. “And like any sort of government, I don’t think that Hamas has a right to exist. I don’t think Israel has a right to exist. I think that people have a right to exist. And I think that that is really the focus of what we need to be doing in terms of that humanitarian crisis.”

Howard’s words are drawing criticism from Jewish leaders, including the president and founder of J Street, a progressive organization that supports a two-state solution.

>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go <<

“We shouldn’t be questioning whether the state of Israel has a right to exist, and I think that that conversation is a little strange and a little ‘out there,'” said J Street president Jeremy Ben-Ami. “These states exist. Other states recognize them. The United Nations created them, and they’re not going anywhere.”

Howard responded with a statement, saying: “There is no such concept in international law as a state’s ‘right to exist.’ People, including Jewish, Palestinian and Lebanese people have a right to exist. I unequivocally condemn Hamas’ violence against civilians. However, that does not justify indiscriminate violence against Palestinians.”

Howard’s words are also prompting reaction within the 1st District Democratic primary. Andru Volinsky, a leading progressive who supports a different candidate in the race, said it doesn’t seem like Howard thought through how his statements would land with the Jewish community.

“It could have been offhand. It could have been thoughtless,” Volinsky said. “There’s not been an apology, a retraction. That’s a real problem.”