The chair of the Republican National Committee has warned that a Democratic takeover of Congress could empower those with antisemitic views, posing a serious risk to the Jewish community.
During a speech at the Republican Jewish Coalition leadership summit in Las Vegas, RNC Chairman Joe Gruters plans to state that, “A Democratic majority in November isn’t merely a setback for us; it’s a direct threat to Jewish people.” He suggests that instead of moderate Democrats who occasionally challenge antisemitism, the leadership would lean towards more extreme factions, like the squad and the Democratic Socialists of America, particularly those who have shown support for Hamas in light of recent events.
Gruters plans to argue that animosity towards Israel and Jews has become embedded within the Democratic Party, emphasizing that this shift did not happen overnight. He critiques the party’s leaders for allowing radical extremes to take hold.
Citing democratic socialists like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who leads the city with the highest Jewish population in America, Gruters points to Mamdani’s reluctance to outright condemn Hamas following its October 7 attack, which left over 1,200 people dead. He also notes that Mamdani revoked an executive order from his predecessor aimed at combating antisemitism, reflecting—according to Gruters—his priorities.
Additionally, he highlights statements from Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib and mentions the problematic views of Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan. El-Sayed had previously faced backlash for his comments regarding an attempted attack on a synagogue, for which he later apologized.
Gruters argues that these incidents are part of a broader pattern, stating that the Democratic Party hasn’t just tolerated but embraced such views. He asserts that candidates from the DSA who refuse to denounce Hamas are now defeating traditional Democrats across the nation, signaling a radical shift within the party.
On the GOP side, Gruters highlights candidates like Rep. Mike Lawler from the Hudson Valley and Long Island nominee Michael LiPetri, who are actively working to support the Jewish community. Lawler is up for re-election in a district with a significant Jewish population and faces a competitive race against Democrat Cait Conley. Meanwhile, LiPetri is in a rematch against Rep. Tom Suozzi, narrowly defeated in their last encounter.
Gruters acknowledges the uphill battle for Republicans, as historically, the party holding power usually loses seats during midterm elections. He also mentions his own track record as a Florida state senator, where he pushed for initiatives to combat antisemitism.
