Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss has criticized the "overly online left" for launching antisemitic attacks against Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris. Auchincloss argues that the attacks reveal a "strong undercurrent of antisemitism" within the party's far-left flank.
Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) has condemned the "overly online left" for targeting Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro over his Jewish faith and support for Israel. Auchincloss, who is Jewish, argued that the attacks reflect an "unacceptable" double standard and contain "strong undercurrents of antisemitism."
Shapiro, considered a frontrunner for Harris' vice presidential nomination, has faced criticism for his pro-Israel stance, particularly in light of an op-ed he wrote as a 20-year-old college student. Shapiro's op-ed, which detailed his time volunteering on an IDF base, included controversial statements regarding the Palestinian people.
Democrat Lawmaker Rebukes Antisemitic Attacks Against Shapiro
However, Auchincloss maintained that these criticisms were unfair and failed to take into account Shapiro's subsequent evolution on the issue. He accused the far-left of holding Shapiro to a different standard than other vice presidential candidates, suggesting that they assumed Jewish politicians could not be objective on matters related to Israel.
"Those in the overly online left who are attacking Josh Shapiro's pro-Israel positions in a different way than they are attacking non-Jewish veep contenders' positions, they're just telling on themselves," Auchincloss said on CNN's "New Day." "There is a strong undercurrent of antisemitism to that. It's unacceptable."
Democrat Lawmaker Rebukes Antisemitic Attacks Against Shapiro
Auchincloss's criticism echoes that of other Jewish Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), who stated that criticisms of Shapiro seemed to assume that Jewish politicians were inherently biased when discussing Israel.
Shapiro's spokesman, Manuel Bonder, defended the governor, emphasizing that his views on Israel had evolved over time and that he now supports a two-state solution. Bonder added that Shapiro had built strong relationships with diverse community leaders and that his views were informed by their perspectives.
Democrat Lawmaker Rebukes Antisemitic Attacks Against Shapiro
Shapiro has taken a strong stance against antisemitism, condemning recent protests outside Israeli-owned businesses as "a blatant act of antisemitism." He has also supported Israel's right to defend itself while acknowledging the human toll in Gaza.
Moreover, Shapiro has demanded the removal of a student encampment at the University of Pennsylvania and supported legislation that would financially penalize colleges for boycotting or divesting from Israel.
Democrat Lawmaker Rebukes Antisemitic Attacks Against Shapiro
Harris is expected to announce her vice presidential choice at a Philadelphia rally on Tuesday.
