Democrat Rep. Rips Progressives For Remaining Silent On Anti-Semitic Attacks
Democrat Representative Dean Phillips called out progressives within his own party for what he termed “deafening” silence on rising anti-Semitic attacks in America.
Phillips, who serves Minnesota’s 3rd congressional district, couldn’t help but notice the far-left had remained relatively silent on the topic of anti-Semitism.
“I’ll say the quiet part out loud; it’s time for ‘progressives’ to start condemning anti-semitism and violent attacks on Jewish people with the same intention and vigor demonstrated in other areas of activism,” the congressman tweeted.
Added Phillips: “The silence has been deafening.”
I’ll say the quiet part out loud; it’s time for “progressives” to start condemning anti-semitism and violent attacks on Jewish people with the same intention and vigor demonstrated in other areas of activism. The silence has been deafening.
Rep. Dean Phillips 🇺🇸 (@RepDeanPhillips) May 24, 2021
Phillips’ criticism of progressives remaining silent in the face of rising anti-Semitic attacks comes as a rift has been forming within the party between a Pro-Israel faction and an anti-Israel faction.
The more extreme members – the group known as the ‘Squad’ – all issued statements condemning Israeli military action against the Hamas terror group.
Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), the first Palestinian-American woman elected to Congress, accused Israel of being an “apartheid government.”
Far-left Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) took issue with others in her party – including President Biden – saying Israel has a right to defend itself.
In fairness, she did tweet about anti-Semitism:
We will never, ever tolerate antisemitism here in NY or anywhere in the world.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 21, 2021
The recent surge in attacks is horrifying. We stand with our Jewish communities in condemning this violence.
You can help. Take NYC’s free, 1hr bystander intervention course:
And Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) accused Israel of being the actual terrorists and said the deputy mayor of Jerusalem was supporting “ethnic cleansing.”
Why is a Member of Congress acting as the press secretary for Hamas?
Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 10, 2021
Does Biden agree?
Omar also tweeted condemnation for an attack on Jewish diners in Los Angeles.
Horrific and unacceptable. Nobody should face threats and harassment based on their religion or ethnicity.
Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 21, 2021
Attacks On The Rise
While Democrats fight over the rhetoric, officials in law enforcement and government have reported that anti-Semitic attacks in the past two weeks have been on the rise.
“We are witnessing a dangerous and drastic surge in anti-Jewish hate,” Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the of ADL (Anti-Defamation League), said in a statement last week.
“To those who choose to indulge in age-old antisemitic tropes, exaggerated claims, and inflammatory rhetoric, it has consequences: attacks in real life on real people targeted for no other reason than they are Jewish,” he added.
“This is antisemitism, plain and simple. And it’s indisputably inexcusable in any context.”
The anti-Semitic attacks we have seen in America over the past few weeks are appalling. We must condemn all forms of anti-Semitism and stand with our friends in the Jewish community.
Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) May 24, 2021
Phillips putting progressives on notice for failing to denounce anti-Semitic attacks is notable because of his history in standing with the Squad’s embellished rhetoric in general.
For instance, he joined the group’s therapy session discussing the Capitol protests in January and said the incident caused him to truly understand what ‘privilege’ means.
“We know the feeling of being trapped and believing being taken hostage may be the BEST case scenario,” Phillips said in a melodramatic speech.
“And we know what it feels like thinking it’s a real possibility we will never see our families and loved ones ever again.”
