CNN Commentators Warn Of Rising Antisemitism In Democratic Party

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The recent decision by Kamala Harris to select Governor Tim Walz as her running mate has sparked a heated debate about the Democratic Party’s acceptance of antisemitism. Prominent political commentator Van Jones has raised questions about the possible influence of antisemitic sentiments within the Democratic Party, suggesting that Josh Shapiro, a Jewish moderate and popular governor of the all-important state of Pennsylvania, may have been overlooked due to his ethnicity and religion.

In a surprise statement on CNN, Van Jones laid out the case that Kamala Harris caved to the growing antisemitic wing of Democratic Party, writes The New York Post.

After the announcement that Harris had chosen Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., to be her running mate on Tuesday, Jones wasn’t sure if Shapiro, previously seen as a favorite for the role, lost out because some elements in the party don’t like that he’s Jewish.

“Is it just because he’s a moderate or is there some anti-Jewish bias here?” Jones asked following the news that Harris picked the governor of Minnesota, which hasn’t voted for a Republican presidential hopeful since 1972.

“You also have anti-Semitism that has gotten marbled into this party. You can be for the Palestinians without being an anti-Jewish bigot, but there are some anti-Jewish bigots out there,” Jones said later in the exchange. “And there’s some disquiet now – and there has to be – how much of what just happened is caving into some of these darker parts of the party?”

Shapiro had received criticism from the far-left, anti-Israel elements of the Democratic Party for his previous stance on Israel and the Palestinian conflict.

Democrats, including Joe Biden, have been downplaying antisemitism for over a year, including attacks against Jewish students on campus. Van Jones wasn’t the only one on CNN pointing out the rising tide of antisemitism happening in the Democratic Party. Host Jake Tapper had to push back against some of on his own panel who tried to use euphemisms in discussing the obvious:

Delivering a powerful speech as he introduced Harris and Walz in Philadelphia, Shapiro appeared to stand up against the bigots in the Democratic Party, noted The New York Times.

“For years, Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania has said that his Jewish faith drives his commitment to public service.

But as he wrapped up a fiery speech in Philadelphia on Tuesday, after the conclusion of a vice-presidential search process that prompted intense public scrutiny of his views on Israel, Mr. Shapiro’s familiar references to his religious background took on a raw new resonance. And he seemed to sound a note of defiance.

‘I am proud of my faith,’ he said, his voice rising, speaking slowly and deliberately to sustained applause.

 

Kamala Harris’s vice-presidential selection process culminated in ugly controversy, as it first appeared that the vice president would be tapping him as a running mate. Despite holding mainstream Democratic positions on the Middle East—similar to other contenders, including Walz—Shapiro faced disproportionate scrutiny. Leftwing activists labeled him “Genocide Josh,” a nickname that his supporters argued reeked of antisemitism.

The far-left has celebrated the choice in Walz. The Democratic Socialists, for example, are over the moon with the selection.

[Read More: Trump Celebrates Walz Pick]

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