Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) recounted to CNN an incident where a fellow House Democrat dismissed the existence of antisemitism by stating, "all the Jews are rich," during a bipartisan antisemitism taskforce meeting. Balint was among several Jewish Democratic politicians who expressed worries about a rising sense of antisemitism within grassroots campaigns impacting established figures such as California State Senator Scott Wiener.

Balint described feeling "shaken to [her] core" after witnessing Wiener being heckled by anti-Israel activists due to his past support for Israel and his Jewish heritage. Despite agreeing with some progressive Democrats who accuse Israel of "committing a genocide" in Gaza, Balint said she still fears a "day of reckoning" because of her support for the Jewish state, stating, "I know at some point there will be a day of reckoning, because I still believe that Jews should have a homeland."

New York City Comptroller Mark Levine also commented on the experience of Jewish Democrats, saying, "no matter what the topic — it can be affordable housing — it’s just a matter of time before someone links it to Israel."

Balint likened the dismissal of antisemitism to other forms of discrimination, comparing it to people denying homophobia while questioning her identity as a lesbian. She also referenced accusations faced by Jewish politicians of having dual loyalty.

These remarks highlight ongoing tensions and concerns about antisemitism within the Democratic Party and the political challenges faced by Jewish elected officials.

Sources