Overview
- Gottheimer, who published a New York Times op-ed Sunday, said Democrats condemn right-wing hate but stay quiet about antisemitism on the left during what the Anti-Defamation League calls a record surge in incidents.
- The op-ed names streamer Hasan Piker and cites remarks about Orthodox Jews as “inbred,” “America deserved 9/11,” and praise for Hamas; Piker has rejected the antisemitism label.
- He wrote that colleagues privately called Piker’s comments “disgusting” yet stay silent in public, and he faulted Democrats who appeared on Piker’s show or campaigned with him.
- He also criticized recent Senate votes to block some U.S. arms sales to Israel and urged consistency on sales to allies like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey.
- Coverage split along familiar lines, with Fox News stressing Piker’s statements, Mediaite highlighting the “double standard” charge, and Alternet adding historical context including scholars’ guidance on distinguishing policy critique from bigotry.