Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has been selected as the Democratic vice presidential nominee, sparking reactions from various political figures and commentators. Some have raised concerns about antisemitism within the Democratic Party following the decision.
After Walz was chosen by Vice President Kamala Harris over Gov. Shapiro, who is Jewish, critics pointed to a past op-ed by Shapiro that resurfaced during the selection process. In the op-ed, Shapiro discussed his time as an Israeli army volunteer and made controversial remarks about the Palestinian people.
Commentators have suggested that Shapiro's Jewish background may have played a role in his exclusion from the VP selection, with some alleging that Harris catered to a segment of the party that opposes Israel. Claims have been made that Harris favored Walz due to his perceived alignment with the anti-Israel stance of certain progressive elements within the Democratic Party.
Despite not being chosen as the VP nominee, Shapiro delivered a passionate speech at a Philadelphia rally alongside Harris and Walz. He emphasized his faith and commitment to serving, pushing back against the notion that his Jewish identity should have been a disqualifying factor.
Various voices, including politicians and analysts, have weighed in on the situation, with some asserting that the Democratic Party has a systemic issue with antisemitism. Comparisons have been drawn to past instances where Jewish candidates were allegedly overlooked due to their pro-Israel stance.
The controversy surrounding the VP selection has reignited debates about the party's stance on Israel and its treatment of Jewish members. Calls have been made for the Jewish community to reassess its support for the Democratic Party in light of these developments.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the Harris campaign regarding the selection process have not yielded a response at this time.
