Rep. Gottheimer Accuses Democrats of Double Standard on Antisemitism

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democrat, accused members of his own party of applying a double standard on antisemitism in a New York Times guest essay published Sunday.

Gottheimer argued that Democrats have failed to forcefully condemn anti-Israel rhetoric and antisemitic comments from figures on the political left. "There should be one response to those who express hatred toward any American: condemnation," he wrote. "Hate is hate. It doesn’t get a pass because it comes from your side of the aisle."

One of Israel’s most outspoken Democratic defenders in Congress, Gottheimer singled out progressive political commentator Hasan Piker. He accused Piker of promoting "antisemitic and anti-American extremism" while receiving support and public appearances from Democratic politicians.

"Sadly, we’ve seen several prominent Democrats appear on his show and even campaign with him, granting his views legitimacy," Gottheimer wrote.

The congressman contrasted Democrats’ criticism of President Donald Trump over his past interactions with White nationalist Nick Fuentes and the party’s condemnation of the 2017 Charlottesville rally. He described a reluctance to confront antisemitism from the far left.

"Across the Democratic Party’s ideological spectrum, right-wing hate is consistently condemned," Gottheimer wrote. "But today, too many Democrats are noticeably and shamefully silent when antisemitism comes from the far left."

Gottheimer said some Democrats privately acknowledge concerns about inflammatory rhetoric but avoid public criticism out of fear of backlash from progressive activists. "I’ve spoken to congressional colleagues who have privately told me that many things Mr. Piker has said are disgusting," he wrote. "Yet they’ll say nothing about it in public."

He listed some of Piker's extreme remarks, including referring to Orthodox Jews as "inbred" and saying America deserved 9/11. Both statements, Gottheimer noted, Piker halfheartedly walked back.

"Mr. Piker traffics in antisemitic and anti-American extremism that has been met by silence from many on the Democratic left," Gottheimer wrote.

Gottheimer also criticized recent actions by Senate Democrats, who last month voted for two measures that would have blocked sales of military equipment to Israel amid its war against Hamas in Gaza. He questioned whether the shift reflected principle or political pressure from "a small but vocal and growing segment of the political left."

He accused Democrats of disproportionately targeting Israel compared to other U.S. allies with human rights concerns, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey. "The Democratic condemnation piled on Israel’s government is overwhelming in comparison to other allies," Gottheimer wrote.

The Anti-Defamation League reported earlier this year that antisemitic incidents in the United States reached record levels after the Oct. 7 attacks, citing thousands of cases of harassment, vandalism and assaults.

Piker has defended himself against accusations of antisemitism while calling on Democrats to be the anti-Israel party. Fox News Digital reached out to the DNC and Hasan Piker for comment but did not immediately hear back.