Controversy follows DSA’s election broadcast and incidents involving Jewish communities
The Democratic Socialists of America drew criticism for choosing Twitch personality Hasan Piker to host its election-night broadcast. Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt accused the group of giving a platform to antisemitism and apologetics for terrorism. Piker responded with an obscenity-laced online post as he celebrated Democratic victories and spoke about putting Donald Trump behind bars.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also criticized progressive Democrats who, she said, had been reluctant to defend Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.
Clash at the University of Michigan
Jewish conservative influencer Lizzy Benichou says she will continue speaking out after being shoved to the ground during a debate at the University of Michigan. The confrontation reportedly began when a woman struck another speaker with a phone and then lunged at someone who questioned her about women’s rights in Iran. Police detained a student suspected of being involved.
Dispute over school group’s post
A Young Democratic Socialists of America chapter at Manhattan’s Stuyvesant High School faced criticism for endorsing a post calling for “Intifada Until Victory.” The advocacy group #EndJewHatred described the slogan as a threat to Jewish students and called on school and education officials to respond. The New York City chapter of the DSA sought to distance itself from the students’ post.
Anti-Israel banners at Blues game
The St. Louis Blues apologized after demonstrators displayed anti-Israel banners during the team’s home game against Vegas. Messages included “Free America from Israel” and “Israel kills.” Chairman Tom Stillman called the incident unacceptable and said antisemitic rhetoric would not be tolerated at the arena.
Warnings about antisemitism across political extremes
B’nai B’rith International CEO Evan R. Bernstein argued that antisemitism is emerging from both the far right and the far left. He pointed to stabbings in New York City, street assaults in London and unrest in France, saying the far right often portrays Jews as conspiratorial power brokers while the far left casts them as oppressors. In both cases, he wrote, Jewish safety risks being pushed aside.
“Students deserve a learning environment free from Jew-hatred, and families deserve to know that school leadership takes their concerns seriously,” said Michelle Ahdoot of #EndJewHatred, referring to posts targeting Jewish people at the Manhattan school.
