US Rep. Steve King (R-IA). Photo: Reuters / Joshua Roberts.

Republican Congressman Steve King on Iowa was widely condemned on Thursday – including by a number of prominent US Jewish groups — over a New York Times interview in which he asked, “White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?”

“If you ask, ‘what’s wrong with white supremacy,’ a better question is what’s wrong with you?” the American Jewish Committee (AJC) tweeted. “@SteveKingIA’s comments are reminiscent of a dark era in our history and are unworthy of a member of Congress.”

AJC CEO David Harris tweeted, “Cong. Steve King let’s loose again. What’s wrong, he asks, touting white nationalism & white supremacism? Everything’s wrong, Mr. Congressman. Racism & racial hierarchies have no place in our nation. They violate our most fundamental values of equality & decency. Ugh!!!”

If you ask, “what’s wrong with white supremacy,” a better question is what’s wrong with you? @SteveKingIA’s comments are reminiscent of a dark era in our history and are unworthy of a member of Congress. https://t.co/Gu9c7Bw5A6

— AJC (@AJCGlobal) January 11, 2019

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called for King to be censured by the House of Representatives.

“It’s past time to take action in response to @SteveKingIA’s disturbing pattern of anti-Semitic & racist behavior,” the ADL tweeted.

In fact, we called for the House to do this back in November. It’s past time to take action in response to @SteveKingIA’s disturbing pattern of anti-Semitic & racist behavior: https://t.co/gZOJhUN0xH https://t.co/wwa0bPXip2

— ADL (@ADL_National) January 10, 2019

Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) Executive Director Matt Brooks was quoted by Jewish Insider as saying, “We have been highly critical of Cong. Steve King in the past and have refused to support him. Once again we are appalled and disgusted by his views and comments. He doesn’t represent the values of the RJC or the Republican Party.”