NY’s Hakeem Jeffries welcomes anti-Israel primary winners who declined to endorse him

U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, extended congratulations to recent winners of New York Democratic Party primaries, including candidates whose anti-Zionist views have created internal party friction. This gesture comes despite two of the victorious candidates refusing to back Jeffries for House speaker should Democrats regain control.

Jeffries' statement acknowledged Darializa Avila Chevalier, Claire Valdez, Brad Lander, and Micah Lasher, all of whom secured Democratic primary victories in New York City and are anticipated to win their respective congressional seats. He framed their diverse paths, from public service to activism, as united by a common goal: addressing the affordability crisis and combating far-right extremism.

However, the context of these congratulations is complicated by the role Israel played in the primaries. Chevalier and Valdez align with anti-Zionist ideology, while Lander, though identifying as a "liberal Zionist," is also a vocal critic of Israeli policies. Jeffries, generally supportive of Israel, finds himself navigating a significant divide within the Democratic Party between its moderate and far-left factions.

The situation is further highlighted by the fact that Jeffries had endorsed incumbents Adriano Espaillat and Dan Goldman, who were defeated by Chevalier and Lander, respectively. Chevalier and Valdez, members of the Democratic Socialists of America, have explicitly declined to endorse Jeffries. Reports indicate that at an election night event for Valdez, attendees chanted "You're next" at Jeffries when he appeared on screen, underscoring the tense relationship between the DSA and more moderate Democrats.

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From public servants to union organizers to community activists, the path is different but the work is the same. We must decisively address the affordability crisis and crush far-right extremism!