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Democratic Silence on Recent Anti-Israel Attacks Sparks Backlash, as Governors Polis and Shapiro Speak Out
By Khadija Khan | FNF News | June 2, 2025
A series of violent incidents targeting Jewish communities and Israeli diplomatic staff have gone largely unaddressed by top Democratic leaders in Congress, prompting backlash from political observers and Jewish advocacy organizations. While state leaders like Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro have publicly condemned recent acts of violence, high-profile Democrats in Washington — including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), Rep. Ilhan Omar, and Rep. Adam Schiff — have been conspicuously silent.
The lack of response is drawing renewed scrutiny, especially as tensions over Israel, antisemitism, and Middle Eastern policy intensify across the United States.
Israeli Embassy Staff Targeted in Recent Attacks
In a now-confirmed attack on Israeli diplomatic staff earlier this spring, two embassy workers were murdered in what Israeli officials have labeled a “targeted terrorist act.” While the incident received brief international media coverage, U.S. congressional leaders were notably silent, with no statements issued from prominent Democratic members of the House or Senate Foreign Relations Committees.
The victims, whose identities remain withheld for diplomatic reasons, were ambushed outside a diplomatic housing complex in Washington, D.C. Surveillance footage, now part of an ongoing federal investigation, reportedly shows two masked individuals fleeing the scene. No arrests have been made.
Despite the severity of the incident, only a handful of U.S. officials condemned the attack publicly — among them Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who called it a “heinous act of terror.” Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also voiced support for the victims’ families, stating: “We stand against all forms of political violence, and this firebombing near my home will not silence our commitment to democratic values.”
Firebombing of Governor’s Residence Escalates Fears
Governor Shapiro himself was recently the target of an attempted firebombing at his residence in Harrisburg. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, the attack occurred in the early hours of May 18, with incendiary devices thrown over the outer fence of the governor’s property. No injuries were reported, and the suspects remain at large.
The FBI has classified the incident as domestic political terrorism. Yet, once again, federal Democrats remained silent. No statements of support or condemnation were issued by high-profile figures such as Reps. Ayanna Pressley or Hakeem Jeffries, the House Minority Leader.
Critics: “Deafening Silence” Reflects Double Standard
Jewish advocacy organizations and several independent watchdogs have decried what they call a “deafening silence” from members of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party — particularly those who have been vocal in past cases involving other ethnic or political groups.
“It’s astonishing. When two Israeli diplomats are murdered on American soil, and no one in the Democratic leadership besides a couple of governors says anything — that’s not just silence, that’s willful neglect,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, during an interview on NPR.
Critics argue that ideological discomfort with supporting Israel — especially in light of the current Gaza conflict — has caused some Democrats to remain quiet even when clear-cut acts of terrorism or antisemitism occur.
“If this had happened to embassy staff from another nation or to minority political figures from another demographic, we’d see congressional press conferences, Twitter threads, and condemnation resolutions within hours,” said FNF News political analyst Sarah Whitman. “But when the victims are Jewish or Israeli, it’s suddenly controversial to speak out.”
Selective Outrage and the Politicization of Violence
This pattern of selective outrage has become a recurring theme in recent years, particularly among the progressive bloc of the Democratic Party. Reps. Omar, Tlaib, and Ocasio-Cortez have repeatedly criticized Israel’s military policies while refusing to condemn Hamas or other militant groups. Now, even in the face of direct violence against Israelis and Jewish Americans, their silence is generating bipartisan concern.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), co-chair of the bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, issued a joint statement with Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) urging all members of Congress to publicly denounce recent incidents.
“Condemning terrorism should never be a political risk,” the statement read. “Silence in the face of hate is complicity.”
Conclusion
As violence against Israeli and Jewish individuals continues to spike across the United States, many are questioning the moral clarity of national Democratic leaders. While state officials like Jared Polis and Josh Shapiro have offered strong condemnations, the broader party leadership’s failure to speak out has left a vacuum that extremists may seek to exploit.
At a time when antisemitism is reportedly at its highest levels in decades, the silence from many prominent voices is being heard loud and clear — and not just by their political opponents.
Tags: Jared Polis, Josh Shapiro, Israeli Embassy, Antisemitism, Democratic Party, Chuck Schumer, Ilhan Omar, AOC, Political Violence, FNF News