Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) called for “increased vigilance against far-left anti-Semitism” and criticized the hypocrisy of left-wing anti-Israel activists who suddenly embraced Vice President Kamala Harris’ choice of Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) over Jewish Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) as her running mate.
In a social media post on Monday, Torres denounced left-wing anti-Israel activists, calling their criticism of the current administration an “anti-Semitic dog whistle” and a double standard.
“Anti-Israel activists who have falsely accused the Biden-Harris Administration of funding ‘genocide’ are suddenly siding with VP Harris unless she selects Governor Shapiro as her running mate,” he wrote, adding, “Never mind that Governor Shapiro’s pro-Israel views are indistinguishable from VP Harris’s.”
Anti-Israel activists who have falsely accused the Biden-Harris Administration of funding “genocide” are suddenly lining up for VP Harris, never mind the Governor’s pro-Israel views, unless she picks Shapiro as her running mate…
— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) August 5, 2024
Torres pointed out the inconsistency of these activists’ stances and accused them of being disingenuous in their attacks and using anti-Semitic connotations to influence political decisions.
“These hypocrites are full of lies and their anti-Semitic dog whistles should not be given veto power over the selection of the president’s running mate,” he concluded.
Torres, who represents New York’s 15th congressional district, quit the progressive caucus in February over some of its lawmakers’ outlandish criticism of Israel, but she frequently clashes with Democrats over Israel.
On Tuesday, he denounced the “carefully orchestrated smear campaign” against Shapiro and argued it should be seen as “a wake-up call that underscores the need for continued and heightened vigilance against far-left anti-Semitism.”
That said, the carefully orchestrated smear campaign against Governor Josh Shapiro should be seen as a wake-up call that underscores the need for continued and heightened vigilance against far-left anti-Semitism.
— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) August 7, 2024
Political commentator Sloane Lachmas praised Torres for “trying to reform the Democratic Party from within, a party that has a penchant for anti-Semitism.”
I have great respect for Congressman Torres, who is non-Jewish, for his efforts to reform the anti-Semitic Democratic Party from within.#Anti-Semitism https://t.co/5uVLhnpP4O
— Sloan Rachmuth (@SloanRachmuth) August 5, 2024
The move comes as many on the left face criticism for anti-Semitic rhetoric and policies that critics say reflect broader policies that endanger national security and undermine American values, and amid an ongoing debate within the Democratic Party over U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, particularly over support for Israel.
Josh Shapiro should not, under any circumstances, apologize for his views on Israel in order to further his career within the Democratic Party.
The level of cowardice shown here to appease the worst in society is disgusting. pic.twitter.com/eX50ZhlFOC
— James Spiro (@JamesSpiro) August 5, 2024
In a decision that sparked accusations of anti-Semitism on Tuesday, Harris passed on Shapiro as her running mate. Deadline Concerns spread that he was too pro-Israel and pro-Jewish, highlighting internal conflict within the party over anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiment within the Democratic base.
Joshua Klein is a reporter for Breitbart News. Email him at jklein@breitbart.com. Follow him on Twitter. Joshua Klein.
