Democratic New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer tore into Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed on Tuesday for refusing to condemn controversial Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, accusing his fellow Democrat of failing to confront antisemitic rhetoric.
Gottheimer appeared on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom,” where anchor Dana Perino played a clip of Piker discussing American Jews who support Israel.
“People don’t [bleep] with Israel any longer,” Piker said. “And if Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they are singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone’s gonna come around and take action. Not against the state of Israel, mind you, but against American Jews.”
Piker has repeatedly faced controversy over his commentary. Republicans have attempted to connect him to the Democratic Party, while several Democratic candidates have distanced themselves from him. El-Sayed, however, has declined opportunities to criticize the streamer and recently campaigned alongside him.
Perino highlighted a post from Gottheimer declaring that “the only one inciting violence against American Jews is Piker and his rhetoric.” The congressman urged Democrats to condemn Piker’s views, adding that “anyone campaigning with him is part of the problem.”
Perino also aired remarks from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer that Piker’s comments were “dangerous, malicious, and antisemitic” and should not be tolerated in public life.
Jeffries cited what he called a “startling rise of hate crimes” across the country, particularly those targeting Jewish Americans.
Gottheimer said he “couldn’t agree more” with Jeffries and described Piker’s remarks as “appalling and disgusting.” He accused the streamer of issuing what amounted to an “open call-out for violence” against Jewish Americans who support the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Piker’s comments were “right out of a Nazi playbook,” Gottheimer said. He added that he hoped Democrats and Republicans across the House would denounce the streamer.
Gottheimer said he and Republican New York Rep. Mike Lawler previously introduced a resolution condemning Piker and Candace Owens.
When Perino asked about El-Sayed’s decision to campaign with Piker and his refusal to reject him, Gottheimer did not hold back.
“El-Sayed’s response is pathetic, and it did not answer the call,” he said.
Gottheimer noted that El-Sayed neither named nor condemned Piker and did not promise to avoid campaigning with him again. He argued that no Democratic candidate or member should allow Piker near their campaign.
The congressman also criticized the silence from Michigan lawmakers after Piker’s comments were directed at a state senator, saying only one person in the state’s congressional delegation had spoken out.
Gottheimer accused Piker of calling Jews “pig dogs,” saying the Sept. 11 attacks were America’s fault, praising Mao Zedong and Vladimir Lenin, and opposing sanctions against Iran.
“Hasan Piker is an antisemite,” Gottheimer said, adding that nobody should campaign with, repost or embrace him. He called on congressional leaders to bring his resolution with Lawler to the House floor for a vote.
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