House Democrat says White House press secretary gave 'weak answer' on antisemitism

Florida Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz slammed White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre for giving a "weak answer" about antisemitism after Hamas terrorists invaded Israel earlier this month, killing more than 1,400 people, including more than 30 U.S. citizens.

"What is his level of concern right now about the potential rise of antisemitism in light of everything that’s going on in Israel?" a reporter asked Jean-Pierre on Monday during a press conference.

"So, a couple of things.  Look, we have not seen any credible threats.  I know there’s been always questions about credible threats.  And so, just want to make sure that that’s out there," Jean-Pierre responded.

Rather than addressing the harassment and attacks that Jews across the nation have been facing, Jean-Pierre turned the discussion to anti-Muslim incidents.

"But, look, Muslim and those perceived to be Muslim have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks.  And certainly President Biden understands that many of our Muslim, Arab — Arab — Arab Americans and Palestinian American loved ones and neighbors are worried about the hate being directed at their communities," the press secretary said, according to the White House.

While a Muslim American 6-year-old was stabbed to death in what Illinois police are calling a hate crime and Muslim and Arab communities are reporting an increase in threats, anti-Jewish incidents have composed the majority of religious-based hate crimes over the past decade, according to FBI data, and Jewish leaders are reporting an increase in antisemitism since Oct. 7.

Moskowitz, who is Jewish, slammed Jean-Pierre on X, formerly Twitter.

"What a weak answer. And why are you looking in the book? What’s the approved answer? The simple answer is yes, you are concerned about the rise of antisemitism. Of course we are also worried about hatred against Muslim Americans. Must do better," Moskowitz wrote Monday.

The Biden administration has been criticized for a history of antisemitic and anti-Israel appointees.

"Biden has appointed the most antisemitic, anti-Israel people to important posts we've ever seen," Zionist Organization of America National President Morton Klein told Just the News. 

The Zionist group has a list of "Joe Biden’s Hostile-to-Israel Appointments," which Jean-Pierre is on because she "condemned those who condemned Jew-haters Reps. Omar, Tlaib, and AOC; and successfully urged Democratic presidential candidates not to attend a major pro-Israel conference," according to ZOA.

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