NEW YORK — Outspoken Councilman Charles Barron, competing for a Congressional seat with Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, received a strange endorsement Thursday from ex-Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke.
Duke released a video sounding off on affirmative action, among other topics, but said he supported the long-time councilman’s view on Israel.
"I certainly agree with Barron that Israel is the worst rogue terrorist state on Earth," he said.
Duke, however, distinguished himself from Barron by saying he opposes his "extreme racist, violently white rhetoric.”
Barron said he did not wish to discuss the endorsement.
"We're staying focused - and we demand respect for our campaign," he said Thursday, according to The Daily News. "I don't think that's a campaign issue. I don't think it's intelligent."
In the eight-minute-long diatribe, Duke also ripped into Jeffries.
"[He] is a complete Zionist sellout of both the black people and all the people in America," Duke said.
Jeffries' campaign spokeswoman Lupe Todd lambasted Duke’s endorsement.
"Hate and extreme rhetoric have no place in our society," Todd said. "We denounce David Duke's remarks in its entirety and urge the other candidate in this race to do the same."