The political liability of being Jewish

After the stunning defeat of American presidential hopeful, Kamala Harris, along with the America First direction which has dominated the political arena, Democrats have been forced to go back to the drawing board to find both a new party leader as well as a suitable candidate for the next presidential election of 2028.

At the moment, many believe that their best prospects are Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, former Chicago Mayor, Rahm Emmanuel, Senator John Fetterman and Senator Bernie Sanders, all of whom represent the most popular amongst their constituency.  But there is a problem with each one of them – possibly preventing them from achieving their political aspirations.

Either they are Jewish or they are pro-Israel. Back when names were being floated for Harris’s vice-presidential candidate, Josh Shapiro was on the top of that list, touted as young, sharp, moderate and personable. But it was during that time that campus antisemitism was in full swing. Criticism of Israel’s military response was no longer reserved for the IDF fighting a necessary war. Being Jewish suddenly became a liability, also spilling into the political world.

Not only were Woke youth triggered by the word Zionist, but nearly anything connected to Israel or Jewish identity became synonymous with genocide, colonialism, oppressor and a new form of white supremacy. It didn’t matter that none of it was justified or accurate, the subjective feeling and subsequent response engendered a genuine disgust and immediate rejection of the person who embodied that category.

This wasn’t only an isolated phenomenon promoted by young students but one which also infected the ranks of the Democratic Party itself, most reflected in the progressive wing whose Squad members virulently opposed the war, leading the charge for an immediate ceasefire while accusing Israel of committing genocide as shouted in the chants of their supporters. 

American Jewish politicians, who had loyally supported the Democratic Party all of their lives, were silent for the most part. Few pushed back on their political peers in Congress or the Senate to denounce the outrageous conduct and violence which was taking place, not only in universities, but also at coordinated protests, some of which targeted Jewish neighborhoods, houses of worship or private schools.

What should have been a full-throated condemnation of anger and rage, directed at ordinary Jewish people, targeted for their ethnicity, rather than their personal involvement in a war being waged thousands of miles away, was never uttered.  If anything, Jewish Democratic leaders seemed to take a low profile, not wanting to remind everyone that they were part of the scorned ethnicity. But when your last name ends in Goldman, Nadler, Schumer or Shapiro, it’s not easy to hide the elephant in the room.

Perhaps, Jewish Democratic leaders think that they are insulated from the vilification their people are receiving, and while that may be true to some extent, how could they not feel offended and personally insulted, knowing that the Jewish homeland, as well as their Jewish friends, neighbors and family are bearing the brunt of antisemitic epithets and menacing intimidation, directed at others in their circles?

But are these political leaders really free from worry when it comes to their own career aspirations? Can they count on the loyal support of others, within their party, who now look at the average Jew as being guilty by association for actions taken by Israel as they defend their homeland and their citizens? 

Probably not! If anything, as the war continues, with the goal of eliminating the Hamas terror threat on our doorstep, Israel will be accused of ethnic cleansing, despite her willingness to live peaceably with Gazans, even to the point of allowing them to work in their kibbutz communities. 

Pro-Palestinian organizations will work overtime, recruiting Woke students, happy to do their bidding, in the promotion of the evils of all Jews. This is not fearmongering.  It’s already happening as we see it on nightly news broadcasts. Protests are non-stop, accompanied by Palestinian flags, hateful rhetoric and an open call for the destruction of Israel from the river to the sea.

How will Jewish Democrat leaders cope with such an onslaught? Just a few days ago, on the eve of Passover, Governor Josh Shapiro’s house was set ablaze by a man who took note that Shapiro was Jewish, perceived by him “to support injustices to the people of Palestine.”

Where were the loud and angry condemnations of this arsonist? Who among Shapiro’s Democratic peers came forward to renounce this act? Did any Squad members express their shock and rejection of this kind of violence directed at their fellow Jewish leader? If not, this might be a good time for Governor Shapiro to reassess the support or lack thereof from members of the same party which he loyally serves!

Because if these legislators cannot stand with their Jewish party peers, then wouldn’t it be useful for him to know that he is alone when it comes to how he is viewed by the people he assumed had his back? When push comes to shove, there is only one way to know who your true friends are. That can only happen when they are willing to roundly condemn the blatant and hateful expressions of antisemitism which are becoming more and more virulent.

If they are afraid to take a stand now, they will also be reluctant to openly support a Jewish candidate, whether running for mayor, governor or president. The same is true for those who support Israel and their right to defend themselves.

That includes New York’s Congressman Ritchie Torres and Mayor Eric Adams, both of whom have been outspoken advocates on behalf of the Jewish state, unapologetic in their support and passion towards the nation and her people. It also applies to Senator John Fetterman who has made two trips to the Jewish homeland, each time returning enthused and inspired by all that he’s seen and experienced.

How would that sit with Squad members and others in the party who see Israel and Jews as the enemy? While it’s clear that all those Democratic leaders mentioned don’t seem too bothered by how they are viewed for strongly supporting Israel, it’s also fair to say that they may, indeed, pay a price in future elections, because the Jewish brand has now been stained by those who see it as a liability rather than an asset.