Gentile Donovan composite.jpg

Democrat Vincent Gentile criticized Republican Daniel Donovan, saying his silence on the GOP letter to Iran is "deafening." (Advance composite photo)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- After saying it's imperative that the United States prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power, Republican District Attorney Daniel Donovan was attacked by his opponent, Democratic Councilman Vincent Gentile, on Tuesday for not condemning a letter sent by Senate Republicans to Iran, seen by some as undermining the president.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to a joint session of Congress recently, warning of the dangers of a nuclear Iran that wishes to wipe Israel off the map and whose leader called America "the great Satan."

Since then, there has been much focus on talks between President Barack Obama and Iran on the future of Iran's nuclear weapons.

This week, 47 Senate Republicans sent a letter to Iran, explaining that the U.S. Constitution requires congressional approval for any agreement that the president makes with Iran over its nuclear program.

The letter warned that without congressional approval the deal is considered "a mere executive agreement" and one that could be overturned by the next president.

Democrats saw the letter as undermining Obama and his negotiations with Iran.

At a press conference announcing NYPD endorsements in his campaign for Congress, Donovan was asked what he thought of the letter.

"I think our government has to get on the same page," he said. "I think sometimes politics gets in the way of governing and I think that we should come up with a position of the United States to support Israel and to figure out what to do with Iran but the number one goal is to make sure Iran does not become a nuclear power."

Gentile shot back with an email shortly thereafter, criticizing Donovan for not condemning the Senate Republicans' actions.

"My opponent doesn't say very much," Gentile wrote. "Today when asked about a letter sent by his Republican comrades that was widely seen as an attempt to sabotage ongoing negotiations over Iran's nuclear program, he was silent once again. Apparently Dan Donovan is just fine with his Republican colleagues actively working to undermine the president of the United States. I find it hard to believe my opponent thinks this was a good idea. But when will he stand up to his party? The people of New York's 11th Congressional District deserve an independent leader who is unafraid to stand up for what's right, even if it means going against his own party. My opponent's silence here is deafening."

During the press conference, Donovan noted that he had opposed some members of his party that recently held up Department of Homeland Security funding in order to undo Obama's executive orders on illegal immigration.

Donovan supported funding the department when Congress was "bickering" over it, he said.