Antisemitism uncondemned by Democrats morphs into domestic terrorism

Inside of two weeks, two major attacks by fringe factions have left people injured or dead in the United States. It's part of a concerning trend that shows an 893% increase in anti-Semitic attacks over the last ten years. The Anti-Defamation League has produced a report showing that in 2015, there were 942 instances; in 2024 there were 9,354. 

Much of the hatred-turned-antisemitism-turned-terrorism is found on college campuses and social media. With the youth of their base being the primary supporters of pro-Palestinian causes and even Hamas, condemnation by the Democratic Party has been scarce. 

Ironically, the latest string of attacks began with arson on Pennsylvania's Governor's Residence, presently occupied by Governor Josh Shapiro, who is a Jewish Democrat. 

Jewish governor's residence set ablaze

On April 13, 2025, Cody Balmer, a 38-year-old Pennsylvania man, set fire to the Pennsylvania Governor's Residence using homemade Molotov cocktails, targeting Shapiro and his family who were asleep inside. Balmer confessed to police and now faces charges including attempted murder, terrorism, and aggravated arson. 

The attack, which occurred hours after a Passover Seder, caused significant damage but no injuries. Authorities are investigating motives, including Balmer's expressed hatred toward Shapiro and connections to the governor's Jewish faith or stance on the Gaza conflict. In a 911 call following the attack, Balmer expressed concerns about what the governor "wants to do to the Palestinian people."

Israeli embassy staff gunned down in D.C.

On May 21, 2025, two Israeli Embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. They were departing an American Jewish Committee (AJC) event focused on humanitarian aid and bridge-building in the Middle East. 

The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, 31, from Chicago, opened fire with a 9mm handgun, and killed Lischinsky and Milgrim. The young couple were planning a trip to Israel and were soon to be engaged. Footage showed Rodriguez firing multiple rounds, reloading, and shooting again as the victims fell.

After the shooting, Rodriguez entered the museum, initially mistaken for an innocent bystander. He was offered water by attendees before confessing to police and shouting “Free Palestine." He told police, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.”

Molotov cocktails in Boulder

Most recently, another case of anti-Israel violence made headlines, when on June 1 in Boulder, Colo., Mohamed Sabry Soliman yelled “free Palestine” as he threw Molotov cocktails at a quiet pro-Israel rally. According to The New York Times, Soliman later told investigators that he wanted to “kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead,” citing an FBI affidavit. 

Reuters reported that he spent a year planning his attack and used Molotov cocktails instead of a gun because his status as a non-citizen barred him from purchasing firearms. Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, confirmed that Soliman had overstayed a tourist visa and had an expired work permit. The permit was granted by former President Joe Biden's administration, and it expired two months ago. 

Pro-Palestinian Democrats hide

With pro-Palestine members of Congress on the Democrat side of the aisle, the party has been increasingly more hesitant to condemn the attacks, which has left some party supporters questioning what the future of their platform looks like. 

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., well-known for her anti-Israel views, avoided answering questions from reporters regarding the shooting of the two Israeli Embassy staffers. The next day, Omar said in a post on X that she was "appalled" by the shooting and said that violence is not welcome in the U.S. "I am appalled by the deadly shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum last night. Holding the victims, their families, and loved ones in my thoughts and prayers. Violence should have no place in our country."

In 2024, Representatives known collectively as "The Squad," Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Cori Bush, D-Mo., all opposed House Resolution 1449, which calls on countries to counter anti-Semitism.

In 2023, Squad member Rashida Tlaib was censured by the House after videotape of her chanting "From the river to the sea" at a pro-Palestinian rally came to light. The phrase is recognized as a call for the complete destruction of the Jewish State.

Not all Democrats 

Prominent liberal and host of his Real Time TV show, Bill Maher, recently made this issue the focus of his monologue. On the May 9 edition of his HBO show, he told the audience that their [Democratic Party's] young people, their key constituency, not only don't like their own civilization, they like the wrong one. They actually think Hamas is a liberation movement." 

"At an AOC Bernie Sanders rally in Idaho last month, someone threw a Palestinian flag over an American flag, and the crowd erupted in approval. What should have happened after that is one of the adults on stage should have told their young loyal followers, this is not a symbol of freedom. This is," Maher said, as he showed an image of the American flag. 

He warned the crowd, "if the thought leaders in the Democratic Party keep encouraging and not rebuking the idea that America is cringe and the people who run Gaza are great, the Democrats are doomed."