Political figures, commentators, and conservative voices weighed in on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz being named as the Democratic vice presidential nominee, asserting that it highlights a significant antisemitism issue within the Democratic Party.
“The Walz nomination reveals how pervasive the antisemitism problem is among the Dems,” Manhattan Institute’s Ilya Shapiro remarked on X following Walz’s selection by Vice President Kamala Harris over Governor Shapiro.
Shapiro, who is of Jewish heritage, was compelled to defend his views on Israel during the VP selection process after an op-ed he wrote over thirty years ago resurfaced, in which he discussed his experience as an Israeli army volunteer and criticized the Palestinian population.
Many commentators argue that Shapiro was not chosen due to the faction within the Democratic Party that opposes Israel and its military actions against Hamas in Gaza.
DEMOCRAT HIGHLIGHTS LEFT’S ‘SIGNIFICANT ANTISEMITISM’ IN CRITICISMS OF VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SHAPIRO
Vice President Kamala Harris and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (L) address the media during a visit at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. (RYAN COLLERD/AFP via Getty Images)
“It’s astonishing that even though the consensus across the political spectrum—right, left, and center—agrees that Josh Shapiro was the best choice for Harris as VP, in the end, his Jewish identity disqualified him,” former GOP Congressman Lee Zeldin wrote on X.
“This says a lot about the current state of the Democratic Party.”
“Let’s be honest,” GOP Senator Tom Cotton stated on X. “Kamala is the most anti-Israel member of Biden’s team, consistently siding with Hamas and Iran. The views of Shapiro and Walz on Israel are not so disparate. However, Harris chose to cater to her pro-Hamas, antisemitic base that rejected Shapiro due to his Jewish background.”
“Kamala Harris did not select Josh Shapiro because antisemitic progressives were opposed to him being Jewish,” NRSC spokesperson Mike Berg expressed in a statement.
“This was Harris’ inaugural significant choice as the nominee, and she yielded to the pro-Hamas faction within the Democratic Party.”
BBC CHAIR REJECTS REQUEST FROM 200 JEWISH STAFFERS FOR FORMAL INVESTIGATION INTO ANTISEMITISM IN THE NEWSROOM
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz shares a laugh alongside Fridley, Minnesota, Mayor Scott Lund during a visit to the Cummins Power Generation Facility in Fridley, Minnesota, on April 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Although he was not chosen as Harris’ running mate, Shapiro delivered an impassioned speech prior to Harris and Walz addressing a rally in Philadelphia to launch their swing state tour on Tuesday evening, taking aim at former President Donald Trump and his vice presidential running mate, Senator JD Vance, R-Ohio.
“I draw strength from my family and my faith, which calls me to serve,” Shapiro declared during his address. “And I take pride in my faith!”
“The sole reason Josh Shapiro wasn’t selected for VP is because he’s a Pro-Israel Jew,” prominent Austin attorney Adam Loewy posted on X. “The Left would have gone into a frenzy. There’s no other explanation for passing over the immensely popular Governor of such an IMPORTANT swing state.”
“They simply couldn’t accept a proud Jew,” Foundation for Defense of Democracies Senior Adviser Richard Goldberg wrote on X. “No amount of apologies for his Jewish identity or his support for Israel could make Shapiro acceptable. That is the state of the Democratic Party today.”
“The Left did it to Joe Lieberman,” Fox News contributor Ari Fleischer wrote on X. “Now they have done it to Josh Shapiro. The Democratic Party is not a safe haven for ardent supporters of Israel. It’s time for the Jewish community to recognize that the power within the D party lies with its anti-Israel progressive faction.”
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US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at Westover High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on July 18, 2024. (ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)
“If it’s not Josh Shapiro…they will have purposely not picked him due to antisemitism within their own caucus and party,” Trump’s VP candidate JD Vance stated on Tuesday morning before the selection was revealed.
Fox News Digital contacted the Harris campaign for comments but did not receive a response.
