Several mainstream Jewish groups and a prominent pro-Israel Republican are defending a nominee who would be the most senior Muslim American in the administration over the attacks of Republicans trying to sink his chances. Letters of support from the Jewish groups come ahead of a crucial vote on Tuesday on the nomination of Dilawar Syed to be deputy administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Republicans on the Senate’s Small Business Committee are opposing Syed over his affiliation with Emgage Action, a Muslim- American advocacy group that has been critical of Israel and opposes legislation that restricts boycotts against Israel and other foreign countries. Syed, the chief executive of a California healthcare technology company, has been an active Emgage board member since 2017.