Inside the New York Times Op-Ed Shaking Up Democratic Leadership Over Israel and Antisemitism
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the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Washington, D.C. — In a searing New York Times op-ed that is sending shockwaves through Washington, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) has issued a blunt warning to his own party: confront the rising tide of far-left antisemitism, or abandon your core principles.
Gottheimer argues that while Democrats are quick to rightly condemn right-wing extremism—such as the 2017 white supremacist march in Charlottesville or Donald Trump’s dinner with Nick Fuentes—too many leaders remain “noticeably and shamefully silent” when the hate originates from within their own ranks.
This growing rift comes at a critical moment, with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reporting an unprecedented surge in antisemitic incidents over the last three years.
The Main Targets: Online Influencers and Party Mainstreams
At the heart of Gottheimer’s critique is the progressive mainstream’s apparent embrace of radical voices. He calls out prominent far-left commentator Hasan Piker, who commands millions of online followers, for calling Orthodox Jews “inbred” and claiming “America deserved 9/11.”
Despite Piker asserting that the terrorist group Hamas is “a thousand times better” than Israel, several high-profile Democrats have continued to appear on his platform.
“I’ve spoken to congressional colleagues who have privately told me that many things Mr. Piker has said are disgusting,” Gottheimer reveals. “Yet they’ll say nothing about it in public… It takes far more courage to stand up to those who have long claimed to be in your corner than to oppose your political opponents.”
Beyond online commentators, Gottheimer points to institutional warning signs within local parties, noting that Michigan Democrats recently nominated a candidate for the University of Michigan’s Board of Regents who openly praised a former Hezbollah leader as a “martyr.”
A Shift in U.S. Foreign Policy?
The Congressman claims this rhetoric is bleeding into actual legislative policy, pointing to recent Senate votes aiming to block military equipment sales to Israel. Gottheimer challenges the intellectual consistency of these lawmakers by comparing the scrutiny Israel receives to other global actors:
| Point of Contention | The Far-Left Stance | Gottheimer’s Reality Check |
| Weapon Sales & Human Rights | Block military aid to Israel over human rights concerns. | Why is there no push to block arms sales to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, or Turkey? |
| Condemning Foreign Regimes | Continuous, heavy condemnation piled on Israel’s government. | Silence regarding Iran’s regime during violent crackdowns on its citizens. |
| The “Apartheid” Label | Labeling Israel an apartheid state. | No mention of apartheid regarding how women and LGBTQ+ individuals are treated across the Middle East. |
| Financial Security Alliances | Arguing Israel is wealthy enough to fund its own security without U.S. aid. | By this logic, should the U.S. pull its military installations out of wealthy allies like Germany, Japan, and Kuwait? |
“Hate is Hate”: A Call for Principled Consistency
Gottheimer concludes his message with an appeal for bipartisan moral clarity, insisting that political alignment should never buy immunity from criticism. Whether the hateful rhetoric comes from right-wing figures like Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson, or left-wing internet stars, the response must remain uniform.
“There should be one response to those who express hatred toward any American: condemnation,” Gottheimer states. “Hate is hate. It doesn’t get a pass because it comes from your side of the aisle.”
As the political landscape fractures ahead of upcoming election cycles, Gottheimer’s words serve as a high-stakes litmus test for the future direction of the Democratic Party’s foreign policy and identity.
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Tags: #JoshGottheimer #USPolitics #DemocratParty #Antisemitism #Israel #HasanPiker #ForeignPolicy #BreakingNews
Josh is sounding a lot like Senator Fetterman, although he is very late to this position.
Boatloads of the antisemitism comes from the left, but every article MUST include examples from the right.
So you’re taking it personally?
Exactly correct! Gottheimer completely undermines his point by adding the his typical “they do it” line.
Shame on him
Can someone post a link to the Op-Ed please?
I’d like to read it in its entirety but can’t find in the NYT website.