Prominent Democrats are lining up to condemn far-left streamer Hasan Piker after he warned that American Jews could face violence if they continue to be seen as strongly supporting Israel. The backlash follows a stream last week in which Piker displayed an image of Michigan state Sen. Jeremy Moss, who is Jewish and the Democratic nominee in Michigan's 11th Congressional District.
Moss has said a fake audio clip is being circulated that falsely portrays him as saying he ran for Congress solely to ensure continued U.S. support for Israel. "If Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they are singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone is going to come around and take action, not against the state of Israel, mind you, but against American Jews," Piker said. PIKER DEMANDS DEMOCRATS DEFEND HIM FROM ATTACKS, CLAIMS HE’S NO ‘TOXIC RADICAL FORCE' Piker's comments drew criticism from top Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and DNC Chair Ken Martin, as well as lawmakers who have criticized him before.
Others who have appeared with Piker or defended engaging with him are now pushing back on his remarks. Jeffries joined the backlash Monday, initially without mentioning Piker by name. The House Democratic leader called the claim that American Jews were inviting violence against themselves "dangerous and antisemitic." Asked on CNN the following day whether he was referring to Piker, Jeffries said yes.
"Those comments were dangerous, malicious and antisemitic and should not be tolerated by anyone in the public square," Jeffries said. Schneider was one of the first Democratic lawmakers to publicly take on Piker, calling him an "unapologetic antisemite" in March and warning fellow Democrats against giving a platform to people who espouse hate. Schneider renewed that criticism Tuesday, saying Piker's latest remarks were consistent with his "history of antisemitic statements." "Hasan Piker's hateful ideas and antisemitic remarks have no place in America or our nation's politics," Schneider said.
Slotkin, who had previously criticized Piker and his involvement in Michigan Democratic politics, spoke out again following his latest comments. "No community should face the threat [of] violence for their political views," Slotkin said, rejecting the idea that Jewish Americans should be blamed for antisemitism directed at them. Stevens criticized Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed earlier this year for campaigning with Piker and made clear she would not do the same.
Piker was the "exact opposite" of someone she would campaign with, Stevens said. She later said she believed Piker should be condemned. Booker's team had already kept its distance from Piker, turning down an appearance with the streamer over his past comments.
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