Pro-Israel leader warns Democrats failing to condemn ‘vicious Jew haters’ in Congress

Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, accused Democratic leaders of failing to condemn politicians he says promote antisemitism and hostility towards Israel. He argued that anti-Israel rhetoric has gained influence in elected politics and criticised both US Democrats and Israeli leaders for what he described as weakness in confronting it.

Klein cited Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed’s debate comments about Iran and Israel, and criticised endorsements of El-Sayed by prominent Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. He also faulted Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Rashida Tlaib and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, including over Mamdani’s refusal to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada”. These are Klein’s characterisations; El-Sayed has also spoken of his commitment to Jewish safety.