Jewish groups object to GOP’s treatment of Muslim candidate for Court of Appeals seat

WASHINGTON (JTA) — A number of national Jewish groups have come to the defense of a Muslim judicial nominee, saying Republican lawmakers inappropriately grilled him about his views on terrorism, Israel and antisemitism.

Adeel Mangi, a New Jersey lawyer who would be the first Muslim to serve on a federal appellate court, faced fierce questioning from GOP senators during his Dec. 13 confirmation hearing for his association with the Rutgers University Law School’s Center for Security, Race and Rights.

Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas, Josh Hawley of Missouri and Tom Cotton of…