Jewish leaders defend Hakeem Jeffries from DSA political attacks

Jewish leaders are pushing back against chants from Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members calling for the ouster of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The chants, heard at a DSA victory party after their candidates won primaries in New York City, expressed a desire to target the "highest ranking black Democratic official in America."

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Just hours after the election, they’re publicly threatening the highest ranking black Democratic official in America.

David Greenfield, CEO of the Met Council, a Jewish charity, criticized the chants on social media, warning that the DSA's next move would be to "go to war with liberal Dems." He highlighted the irony of the timing, occurring just hours after the election victories.

Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council, defended Jeffries as a "dedicated public servant" with "honesty, hard work, honor, and an unwavering commitment to delivering for the people he represents." Treyger expressed confidence that Jeffries would withstand the "wave of left-wing insurgents," stating, "Political winds come and go. Character endures."

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the next DSA move is not to make peace, but rather go to war with liberal Dems.

The DSA, which advocates for taxing the wealthy and expanding social benefits, has increasingly emphasized pro-Palestinian advocacy and anti-Zionism. Nine out of ten candidates backed by the New York City chapter won their primaries. The chant targeting Jeffries, "You're next! You're next!" was widely circulated, with DSA member Asad Dandia, Brooklyn's borough historian, writing, "Hakeem Jeffries is not going to sleep well tonight. Good. We're coming."

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a dedicated public servant defined by honesty, hard work, honor, and an unwavering commitment to delivering for the people he represents.

This targeting of Jeffries exemplifies the DSA's momentum and raises alarms within the Jewish community due to the organization's "stridently anti-Israel messaging" and its focus on establishment pro-Israel figures. The article notes that Jeffries could theoretically be ousted as the Democrats' leader in Congress.

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Political winds come and go. Character endures.