Democratic Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz criticized the answer that White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre gave Monday to a question about antisemitism.
Jean-Pierre totally ignored concerns about antisemitism and instead focused on “hate-fueled attacks” against Muslims since the brutal Oct. 7 massacre of Israelis by Hamas terrorists. She also said President Joe Biden “understands” that Muslim, Palestinian and Arab Americans “are worried about the hate” that could potentially arise in their communities.
“What a weak answer,” Moskowitz, who is Jewish, wrote in a Monday night tweet. “And why are you looking in the book? What’s the approved answer? The simple answer is yes, you are concerned about the rise of antisemitism. Of course we are also worried about hatred against Muslim Americans. Must do better.”
What a weak answer. And why are you looking in the book? What’s the approved answer? The simple answer is yes, you are concerned about the rise of antisemitism. Of course we are also worried about hatred against Muslim Americans. Must do better. https://t.co/RdYhPTFpHa
— Jared Moskowitz 🟧 (@JaredEMoskowitz) October 23, 2023
Antisemitic incidents have surged across the United States following the terror attack, which resulted in the highest single-day death toll for Jews since the Holocaust. (RELATED: Reporter Asks KJP If Biden Will Visit A Mosque To Have ‘Faith Experience’ In Coming Days)
Supporters of Palestine have organized demonstrations on prominent college campuses, including Harvard University, where over thirty student groups signed a letter declaring their support for Palestine and assigning Israel sole blame for the attack. Harvard President Claudine Gay said the letter did not reflect the views of the university.
At a rally in New York City’s Times Square, protesters displayed swastikas and other antisemitic symbols, while demonstrators in Sydney, Australia, chanted “gas the Jews.”
The New York City Democratic Socialists of America organized the demonstration just one day after Hamas infiltrated Israel. Democratic New York Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman, both self-described Democratic Socialists, were the only two members of the left-wing “Squad” to publicly condemn the demonstration.
Antisemites appear to have vandalized the office of Jewish journalist Bari Weiss, spray painting slogans reading “Fuck Jews” and “Fuck Israel,” according to images Weiss posted to Twitter on Sunday. The same day, a pro-Palestinian mob beat a Jewish TPUSA staffer as he attempted to escort an elderly Jewish couple from a demonstration supporting Israel.
Jean-Pierre and White House national security adviser John Kirby rejected the idea of deporting foreigners who attend pro-Hamas and pro-Palestinian protests during Monday’s press briefing, with both emphasizing the demonstrators’ right to “peacefully protest.”