Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) has accused his fellow Democrats of a “glaring double standard” when it comes to addressing antisemitism from the far left. In an op-ed for the New York Times, Gottheimer argued that while Democrats have long decried Jew-hatred on the far right, “today, too many Democrats are noticeably and shamefully silent when antisemitism comes from the far left.”

The congressman specifically called out the “embrace of” Hasan Piker, a prominent left-wing commentator who has referred to Orthodox Jews as ‘inbred’ and claimed that “America deserved 9/11.” Piker also expressed support for Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, saying they are “a thousand times better” than Israel, which he labeled a “fascist settler colonial apartheid state.”

Gottheimer criticized “several prominent Democrats” for appearing on Piker’s show and campaigning with him, arguing that this “grants his views legitimacy.” He contrasted this with the party’s swift condemnation of antisemitism from right-wing figures, writing, “None of this should be waved away as mere edgy commentary. Mr. Piker traffics in antisemitic and anti-American extremism that has been met by silence from many on the Democratic left.”

The congressman acknowledged that standing up to those “who have long claimed to be in your corner” is challenging, but emphasized that “principled” leadership requires a consistent stance against hate. “It takes far more courage to stand up to those who have long claimed to be in your corner than to oppose your political opponents,” he wrote.

Gottheimer called for a unified response to antisemitism and other forms of hate, regardless of their source. “There should be one response to those who express hatred toward any American: condemnation. Hate is hate,” he wrote. “It doesn’t get a pass because it comes from your side of the aisle.”

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