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Jon Ossoff distances himself from left-wing streamer Hasan Piker over 'dangerous rhetoric'

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff has distanced himself from streamer Hasan Piker, citing the latter's "reckless and dangerous rhetoric" regarding American Jews.
  • Piker's comments, made on a Twitch livestream, suggested that if Jews in America continue to link their identity to Israel, action might be taken against American Jews.
  • Ossoff's spokesperson stated that the senator unreservedly rejects rhetoric suggesting policy advocacy invites violence against any community.

Senator Jon Ossoff has publicly distanced himself from left-wing streamer Hasan Piker, who had previously expressed intrigue with the Georgia Democrat and even suggested he could be a "dark-horse" presidential candidate.

If Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they are singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone’s going to come around and take action.

— Hasan PikerOn a Twitch livestream, discussing the relationship between American Jews and Israel.

Ossoff's office issued a strong rejection of Piker's recent comments, which many interpreted as justifying threats against American Jews. Piker stated on a Twitch livestream on August 20 that "if Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they are singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone’s going to come around and take action." He clarified this was not against the state of Israel, but "against American Jews."

Not against the state of Israel, mind you, but against American Jews.

— Hasan PikerClarifying his previous statement about potential actions against American Jews.

An Ossoff spokesperson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the senator "unreservedly rejects reckless and dangerous rhetoric suggesting that policy advocacy invites violence against the Jewish community or any community." The spokesperson emphasized that "American Jews and all Americans must have the freedom and security to speak out and petition their government without fear of reprisal."

unreservedly rejects reckless and dangerous rhetoric suggesting that policy advocacy invites violence against the Jewish community or any community.

— Ossoff spokespersonResponding to Hasan Piker's comments about American Jews.

Ossoff has faced criticism from some within his state's local Jewish community over his votes to block certain arms sales to Israel. Piker, who had previously lauded Ossoff's stance against sending aid to Israel, became decidedly less enthusiastic following the controversy. "I don’t like Jon Ossoff," Piker stated on his stream, adding that the senator "does not have the right instincts."

American Jews and all Americans must have the freedom and security to speak out and petition their government without fear of reprisal.

— Ossoff spokespersonEmphasizing the right to free speech and petition without fear.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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