Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries denounces Hasan Piker's antisemitic remarks
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries publicly condemned streamer Hasan Piker for saying Jewish Americans invite violence by supporting Israel.
In a social-media statement and one outlet's interview, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries denounced streamer Hasan Piker’s suggestion that American Jews “invite violence” by supporting Israel, calling the view dangerous and antisemitic. Piker, who reaches over three million followers, made the comment during a broadcast that displayed an image of state Sen. Jeremy Moss, the Jewish Democratic nominee for Michigan’s 11th district, and warned that such advocacy could provoke attacks on U.S. Jews.
The statement prompted rebukes from several Democratic members, including Hillary Scholten, Susie Lee and Josh Gottheimer, the latter describing the rhetoric as “right out of the Nazi playbook.” Republican Rep. Mike Rogers also condemned Piker and the campaign of Democratic Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed, urging the candidate to disavow the streamer. El-Sayed replied by affirming his commitment to Jewish safety and condemning antisemitism. The incident underscores intra-party tensions over Israel-related discourse ahead of upcoming elections.
Why it matters
The clash highlights rising concerns about antisemitic rhetoric and divisions within the Democratic Party on Israel policy.
How this story developed
- Aug 18 Mike Rogers courts Jewish Democratic voters in tight Michigan Senate contest
- Aug 20 A Senate primary debate has been set for September 15.
- Aug 21 Streamer Hasan Piker called Hamas more moderate than in its early years during a Channel 4 interview, prompting condemnation from the ADL and the Republican Jewish Coalition.
- Aug 25 Piker’s remarks prompted public condemnations from the ADL and the Republican Jewish Coalition.
In this story
Related stories
7 in this thread