Politicians and commentators allege that the Democratic Party's rejection of Jewish candidate Josh Shapiro as Vice President nominee exposes deep-seated antisemitism within the party.
The selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as the Democratic vice presidential nominee has sparked outrage among Republicans and some commentators, who claim it is evidence of a growing antisemitism problem within the party.
Ilya Shapiro of the Manhattan Institute tweeted that "the Walz selection shows just how deep the Dems' antisemitism problem runs." Shapiro, who is Jewish, was forced to defend his stance on Israel during the VP selection process after an op-ed he penned more than three decades ago, in which he wrote of being an Israeli army volunteer and disparaged the Palestinian people, resurfaced.
Antisemitism in the Democratic Party: Shapiro's VP Disqualification Raises Concerns
Many believe that Shapiro was ultimately not selected because of the wing of the Democratic Party that opposes Israel and its war against Hamas in Gaza.
Former GOP Congressman Lee Zeldin tweeted that "it's amazing that despite America's right, left, and center agreeing that Josh Shapiro was Harris' best pick for VP, at the end of the day, Shapiro being Jewish disqualified him."
Antisemitism in the Democratic Party: Shapiro's VP Disqualification Raises Concerns
GOP Senator Tom Cotton claimed that "Kamala is the most anti-Israel member of Biden's team, always siding with Hamas and Iran's interests. Shapiro and Walz's views on Israel aren't that different. But Harris catered to her pro-Hamas, antisemitic base who opposed Shapiro because he's Jewish."
NRSC spokesperson Mike Berg stated that "Kamala Harris did not pick Josh Shapiro because antisemitic progressives did not like that he is Jewish."
Antisemitism in the Democratic Party: Shapiro's VP Disqualification Raises Concerns
Despite not being chosen by Harris, Shapiro gave a fiery speech at a rally, emphasizing his faith and support for Israel.
Prominent attorney Adam Loewy tweeted that "the only reason Josh Shapiro was not selected as VP is because he's a Pro-Israel Jew. The Left would have melted down. There is simply no other reason you pass on the wildly popular Governor of the THE MOST IMPORTANT swing state."
Antisemitism in the Democratic Party: Shapiro's VP Disqualification Raises Concerns
Richard Goldberg of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said that "the Left did it to Joe Lieberman. Now, they did it to Josh Shapiro. The D party is not home for strong supporters of Israel. It's time for the Jewish community to recognize the power in the D party rests with its anti-Israel progressive base."
Trump VP candidate JD Vance stated that "if it's not Josh Shapiro…they will have not picked Shapiro frankly out of antisemitism in their own caucus and in their own party."
The Harris campaign has not responded to requests for comment.
The allegations of antisemitism within the Democratic Party have sparked concern among Jewish leaders and organizations, who are calling for action to address the issue.
