Democrats are divided on whether the party has a problem with antisemitism ahead of the November election. Some Democrats, like Rep. Jared Moskowitz, believe that there is a problem with antisemitism on both the left and the right, especially in light of recent acts of antisemitism following the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Anti-Defamation League reported an increase in antisemitic assaults following the conflict, prompting concerns about the safety of Jewish individuals in the U.S. Anti-Israel and antisemitic demonstrations at universities have also raised alarm, with some Democrats supporting the protests while others have called for action to address the issue.
While many Republican lawmakers have spoken out against the demonstrations, some Democrats have been more measured in their responses. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez discouraged the use of police enforcement against demonstrators. Rachel Rosen from Democratic Majority for Israel acknowledged that antisemitism exists on both the far left and the far right, but emphasized President Biden’s commitment to condemning antisemitism and supporting Israel. However, many are waiting for GOP leaders to condemn other instances of antisemitism, such as Marjorie Taylor Greene’s remarks and Donald Trump’s behavior.
Some Democrats, like Sen. John Fetterman, have acknowledged that there is a problem with antisemitism within the party, particularly on college campuses. Fetterman believes that calling out antisemitism is essential, although he did not offer advice on how colleagues should address the issue. Other Democrats, like Sen. Jon Tester, do not feel that there is a significant issue with antisemitism within the party but express concerns if it were true. Sen. Richard Blumenthal is confident that there are no antisemites among Democratic members of Congress, but acknowledged that offensive remarks can sometimes be made.
Several Democrats avoided directly answering whether there is a specific problem with antisemitism on the left, instead condemning antisemitism in general. Sen. Jacky Rosen and Sen. Tammy Baldwin emphasized their commitment to combating antisemitism, regardless of political party or ideology. Sen. Tim Kaine expressed sympathy for students impacted by the protests and disruptions on college campuses. Overall, the Democratic Party is grappling with how to address antisemitism while also navigating the complexities of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the resulting demonstrations.
Political analysts suggest that the Democrats’ challenge is not necessarily antisemitism itself, but rather how they handle issues related to Israel and protests. This could have implications for the party’s performance in the 2024 election. While some high-profile Democratic leaders did not provide comments on the issue, others have introduced legislation to address antisemitism on college campuses and condemned antisemitic behavior. As the party navigates these challenges leading up to the November election, the issue of antisemitism and its implications for party unity and political strategy remains at the forefront.
