RNC Chair: Dem Congress Majority Would Empower Antisemites
The Republican National Committee warns that a Democratic midterm victory would empower antisemitic forces, citing tolerance for anti-Israel extremism among progressive Democrats.
RNC Chairman Joe Gruters is scheduled to deliver a forceful address to the Republican Jewish Coalition leadership summit in Las Vegas on Monday, arguing that a Democratic congressional majority would place power in the hands of radical elements hostile to Jewish interests, according to Carl Campanile writing in New York Post.
The Republican leader will argue that control would not rest with centrist Democrats who occasionally challenge antisemitism, but rather with far-left factions including the Squad, the Democratic Socialists of America, and activists who sided with Hamas following the October 7, 2023 terror attacks that killed over 1,200 Israelis.
Democratic Party Accused of Harboring Antisemitism
Gruters maintains that hostility toward Israel and hatred of Jews has become entrenched within the Democratic Party through a gradual takeover by radical extremists that party leadership failed to resist.
The RNC chairman singles out New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist who governs the American city with the largest Jewish population. Mamdani declined to immediately condemn Hamas after the October 7 massacre, has consistently refused to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, and on his first day in office rescinded his predecessor Eric Adams‘ executive order designed to combat antisemitism.
Representatives Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan also feature prominently in Gruters’ indictment of Democratic antisemitism, alongside Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who recently apologized for characterizing an attempted attack on a synagogue preschool as a case of hurt people hurt people.
Pattern of Tolerance for Anti-Jewish Extremism
The Republican chairman contends these incidents form a clear pattern rather than isolated cases, asserting that the Democratic Party has not merely tolerated antisemitic sentiment but actively embraced it. He notes that Democratic Socialists of America candidates who refuse to condemn Hamas are now defeating establishment Democrats nationwide, signaling a complete takeover of the party by the radical left.
By contrast, Gruters highlights Republican candidates he describes as champions of the Jewish community, including Hudson Valley Representative Mike Lawler and Long Island congressional nominee Michael LiPetri.
Lawler is seeking a third term representing the heavily Jewish 17th District, facing a competitive challenge from Democratic Army veteran Cait Conley. LiPetri is mounting a rematch against Democratic Representative Tom Suozzi in the 3rd House District covering Nassau County’s north shore and parts of Queens, after losing by just three percentage points in 2024.
Republicans Aim to Defy Midterm Historical Trends
The RNC chairman acknowledged the GOP faces historical headwinds, as the party controlling the White House typically loses congressional seats during midterm elections. However, Republicans are positioning Jewish security as a defining issue in the upcoming campaign.
Gruters previously served as a Florida state senator, where he led efforts to enact legislation combating antisemitism in the state.
With information from New York Post
