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Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., described to CNN Tuesday an instance of a fellow House Democrat appearing to dismiss antisemitism because “all the Jews are rich.”
Balint was one of multiple Jewish Democratic politicians who spoke to CNN about concerns regarding a growing sense of antisemitism among grassroots campaigns that have begun affecting established political figures like California state Sen. Scott Wiener.
She told CNN she was “shaken to [her] core” after seeing Wiener heckled by anti-Israel activists for his past support for Israel and Jewish heritage.
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Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., described concerns over antisemitism within her party despite her support for progressive causes. (Getty Images)
“She described a familiar ache,” the article read. “Like, the people who tell her that homophobia doesn’t exist and then ask her what it means that she’s a lesbian. Like, the House Democratic colleague she wouldn’t name who she says came to a bipartisan antisemitism task force meeting and said, ‘I didn’t really think there was any antisemitism anymore because all the Jews are rich.’ Like the people who accuse Jewish politicians of having dual loyalty.”
Though Balint has agreed with progressive Democrats claiming that Israel was guilty of “committing a genocide” in Gaza, she told CNN that she still fears a “day of reckoning” for her because of her support for the Jewish state.
“I know at some point there will be a day of reckoning because I still believe that Jews should have a homeland,” Balint said. “There will be people — I think some of my own supporters — who will turn on me because I still believe in a two-state solution. I still do. I still believe that Israel should be safe and secure. I believe that the Palestinians have been so ill-treated for so long and deserve a safe and secure homeland. I do not believe Israel should be dismantled.”
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Balint told CNN she was “shaken” after seeing California state Sen. Scott Wiener being heckled by anti-Israel activists. (Sen. Scott Wiener/California Senate)
Digital reached out to Balint’s office for comment.
Other Jewish Democrats expressed concerns that Israel is becoming a political “litmus test” for them despite their support for other progressive causes and criticism of the Israeli government.
“The experience of being a Jewish Democrat is to feel like … no matter what the topic — it can be affordable housing — it’s just a matter of time before someone links it to Israel,” New York City comptroller Mark Levine said. “What is the list of litmus test issues.
“As far as I know, at this point, it is exclusively a list of questions on Israel. We’re progressives. We’re absolutely willing to criticize the actions of the current government of Israel. And we are. But we’re feeling excluded from many spaces right now, and it’s hard to conclude it’s not because we’re Jewish.”
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Other Jewish Democrats expressed concerns to CNN over antisemitism. (Bulent Kilic via Getty Images)
Michigan state Rep. Noah Arbit told CNN he believed antisemitism is being perpetuated under the guise of criticizing Israel.
“After I leave office, I’m not sure I’ll ever call myself a Democrat again,” Arbit said. “I don’t know how Jews can feel like you can align yourself with any political movement when the grassroots are so hostile to who you are and your community.”
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Digital also reached out to Arbit and Levine for comment.
