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When Leaders Excuse Hate, Jewish Safety Endangered

October 28, 2025

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When Anti-Jewish Hate Becomes Routine, Rhetoric Replaces Responsibility

Gunshots rang out and moments later 11 American Jews lay murdered in their Pittsburgh synagogue. Now, seven years after the deadliest massacre of Jews in the U.S., hate against the American Jewish community has reached a fever pitch. Politicians and online influencers from both parties have too often minimized anti-Jewish (antisemitic) rhetoric and extremist messages. Most American Jews now consider antisemitism a “normal part of Jewish life.”

A recent Pew study found that while most Americans agree political violence is increasing, the majority attributes it to “the other side” – highlighting the deep polarization that hinders a shared moral responsibility. The result is a dangerous pattern in which rhetoric turns to reality – a test not only of Jewish safety, but of the civic and moral foundations that built our nation and hold it together.

Dangerous Political Rhetoric: Jews at the Epicenter

From right to left, recent incidents reveal how easily moral lines blur when hate is excused for partisan convenience.

“I love Hitler,” Nazi gas chamber jokes and racist slurs were among messages shared by Young Republican leaders in a private group exposed by Politico. The posts also mocked Blacks as monkeys and joked about sexual assault. The group included state young party chairs from Arizona, Kansas and NY.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson “roundly condemned” the vile messages and said he did not believe the comments reflected the views of all young Republicans. Vice President JD Vance described the texts as “kids doing stupid things,” even though they were posted by adults. Many were asked to resign or lost their jobs. U.S. Task Force to Combat Antisemitism chair Leo Terrell reacted: “Antisemitism on the right is just as dangerous as antisemitism on the left.”

Nazi Tattoo Excused: ‘He made mistakes’

“I am not a secret Nazi,” was how Maine’s leading Democratic U.S. Senate primary candidate responded after he revealed his Nazi chest tattoo on a podcast. Graham Platner denied knowing that a skull-and-cross bones tattoo he got 18 years ago was associated with Nazi SS units. His former political director countered that “he knows what it means, he’s a military history buff.” CNN confirmed her account and reported that Platner defended Nazi tattoos in social media posts. As of Oct. 27, no Democratic senator had called for him to step down. Sen. Bernie Sanders reiterated his endorsement and Sen. Chris Murphy described him as “a human being who made mistakes.”

Controversies also emerged among Republican candidates. President Trump’s candidate to lead the Office of Special Counsel withdrew after reports surfaced of past bigoted comments. Paul Ingrassia declared that the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday should be “tossed into the seventh circle of hell” and “I have a Nazi streak in me.” The White House had continued to support him despite months of opposition from several Republican senators. He remains the White House liaison to the Dept. of Homeland Security.

The NJ Republican candidate for governor Jack Ciattarelli defended comments that his senior aide and Muslim relations advisor Ibrar Nadeem is not “taking money from Jews.”

Former Students for Justice in Palestine Leader Running for NYC Mayor

Concerns are mounting over Zohran Mamdani’s campaign for mayor of NY. The avowed socialist founded a chapter of the viciously anti-Israel Students for Justice in Palestine at Maine’s Bowdoin College in 2013. The national organization praised the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist massacre of more than 1,200 people – including 46 Americans. Mamdani has refused to condemn calls to “Globalize the Intifada” – violent attacks against Jews – and has met with radical Islamic preachers. Despite this, he has received major endorsements from some Democratic party leaders including U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

More than 1,000 rabbis across America have signed onto a Jewish Majority letter, “Defending the Jewish Future,” warning that Mamdani’s rhetoric “delegitimizes the Jewish community and encourages hostility toward Judaism and Jews.”

All of these examples illustrate a bipartisan erosion of moral standards – where the instinct to promote a political agenda too often outweighs the duty to reject hate.

Public Climate: Hate as a ‘Normal experience’

The consequences of rhetoric targeting Jews are increasingly visible. A majority of Jews have accepted that anti-Jewish hate is a normal part of daily American life. Other key findings from the Anti-Defamation League and Jewish Federations of North America’s Portrait of Antisemitic Experiences in the U.S., 2024-2025:

  • 74% of Jews did NOT report their antisemitic experiences, with 43% citing that they thought nothing would happen
  • 55% of Jews experienced at least one form of anti-Jewish hate
  • Younger Jews experienced more direct harm and exclusion

These statistics are reflected in daily life. Recent attacks and calls for violence validate the concerns of American Jews. A group of 20 young teens shot pellet guns and called Jewish children at a Chicago playground “baby killers” on the recent Oct. 7 anniversary. Swastikas continue to be spraypainted on synagogues, businesses and parks across the country.

These trends reveal not only a crisis of safety – but a deeper struggle over national character. Yeshiva Univ. President Rabbi Dr. Ari Bermam: “Antisemitism is a symptom of a disease. The solution is core American values, which are actually core Jewish values. The canon that begins with the Bible, continues through the Western world with the values of freedom, democracy and human dignity – the values that America was built on.”

Path Forward: Jews and Their Allies Step Up

Despite serious concerns over the normalization of anti-Jewish hate, many U.S. Jews have responded by proudly displaying something distinctively Jewish and have sought a closer connection to the greater Jewish community – according to the ADL-JFNA survey. The reaffirmation of identity and belonging has become both a personal and civic expression of resilience.

The same spirit of renewal is emerging among faith and civic leaders, as well as senior elected officials. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz addressed the annual Christians United for Israel Summit, urging believers to confront anti-Jewish hate from within their own ranks. “The church is asleep right now. In the last six months, I have seen antisemitism rising on the right in a way I have never seen in my entire life.”

There are more reasons for optimism beyond America. Sec. of State Marco Rubio spoke earlier this year about how hatred of the Jewish people is “the world’s oldest and most futile bigotry, and I pray for the day when the entire world will recognize this futility.” He recently visited Israel and spoke of historic opportunities to expand the Middle East’s Abraham Peace Accords: “There will be ups and downs, but we have many reasons to be optimistic.”

  1. Tree of Life massacre anniversary reminds us all where silence leads: Seven years after the massacre of 11 Jews at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue, troubling rhetoric has reared its ugly head across politics and culture – echoing the same hatred that inspired the killer. The anniversary is a reminder of what happens when hatred goes unchallenged. History shows that anti-Jewish hate thrives when its treated as marginal rather than a moral crisis. Allowing bigotry to fester – whether ignored, excused or politicized – erodes the moral foundations that make all Americans safe in their houses of worship and civic life.
  2. Moral leaders reject hate and make excuses for extremism: Political and moral integrity are measured by consistency, not convenience. Across the political spectrum, some leaders condemn hate in opponents while ignoring it within their own movements, signaling that moral standards are negotiable. Excusing anti-Jewish, racist or violent rhetoric for partisan gain corrodes public trust and normalizes extremism. Real leadership demands calling out bigotry wherever it arises and holding all sides to the same ethical standards. America’s democracy depends on leaders who defend what is right – not what is politically useful.
  3. Anti-Jewish hate must not be politicized or used to divide: The safety and dignity of Jews should never be treated as a partisan issue or political talking point. When candidates or activists invoke Jewish identity to attack opponents or deflect criticism, they cheapen real concerns and distort the moral clarity this moment requires. Jewish safety is an American civil right. Protecting Jewish life must remain a shared duty – not another weapon in America’s culture wars.
  4. Most American Jews see anti-Jewish hatred as part of their daily life: Jewish communities report growing exposure to harassment, exclusion and open hostility – often in schools, workplaces and public spaces once considered safe. At the same time, most Americans recognize rising political violence – but tend to blame the opposing side. This widening moral divide makes anti-Jewish hate easier to ignore – online and in person – undermining the shared commitment to justice and equality that binds Americans together.
  5. Jewish resilience and shared purpose are reasons for optimism: Despite rising hostility, many Jews are responding with renewed pride – wearing visible symbols of their Jewish identity and deepening ties to Jewish communal life. Israeli American Council CEO and former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Elan Carr called on “Jewish people around the world to fight for the soul of the U.S. and for the soul of Western democracy.” Leaders across faiths also are reaffirming solidarity, linking Jewish security to the strength of American democracy itself. These acts of courage and connection show that identity, unity and moral clarity remain stronger than hate.

Each of us can help strengthen community safety, civic responsibility and the shared values that make America strong.

  • Speak up with integrity: Challenge extremist rhetoric from all sides, including your own social networks. Silence or selective outrage allows hate to grow unchecked. Tell elected leaders they have a serious responsibility to unequivocally condemn all forms of hate regardless of its source.
  • Engage beyond politics: Build relationships with faith, civic and campus partners that value safety and mutual respect over ideology – and encourage elected officials to do the same. Treat anti-Jewish hatred as a moral issue, not a partisan one.
  • Model unity: When hate targets any group, stand visibly with those affected. Moral consistency restores trust and reflects the best of American civic life.

Largest-Ever American Zionist Movement Delegation at World Zionist Congress in Jerusalem

The American Zionist Movement – the U.S. affiliate of the World Zionist Organization – is attending the 39th World Zionist Congress Oct. 28 to 30, in Jerusalem. The WZO brings together Jewish leaders and delegates from more than 40 countries for the largest global Zionist gathering.

This year’s American delegation reflects the incredible diversity and vitality of Jewish life in the U.S. Spanning ages from 18 to 87, the delegation represents 22 states across the country. Among the U.S. delegation are rabbis, elected officials, educators and community leaders whose civic engagement and leadership embody the spirit of American Jewish engagement – diverse in perspective, united in purpose.

The MERCAZ Olami delegation at the Kotel before the start of the World Zionist Congress

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This content is developed by The Focus Project in partnership with MERCAZ USA. The Focus Project distributes weekly news and talking points on timely issues concerning Israel and the Jewish people, including antisemitism, anti-Zionism and the delegitimization of Israel. It represents a consensus view across a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations. MERCAZ USA recognizes and respects the diversity of views on these issues among its readers and the community at large.

The Focus Project develops and distributes news, background, history and weekly talking points on timely issues to inform individuals and organizations about issues affecting the American Jewish community and Israel, and help readers speak with more consistency and clarity. The editions also provide potential responses for addressing incidents of antisemitism and anti-Zionism. With input from a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations, we focus on that which unites us, rising above political and individual agendas.
Recognizing that hatred of Jews comes in many forms and directions, we strive to address all sources as they arise, and educate our growing audience on topics ranging from inter-religious relations to relevant international developments. From week to week, we may focus on issues arising from the political left, university campuses, from the political right and from institutions, government, and corporations. We don’t try to address all issues in each edition. We hope you will find this information useful in your writing and/or speaking. We are always open to your feedback: info@focus-project.org.
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