Some In Hollywood Voice Concerns Says Report
Hello everyone, let’s dive into a developing conversation that’s gaining traction in political and media circles, especially among Jewish communities. Steven Zeitchik, a senior awards editor for The Hollywood Reporter, recently expressed concerns about the Democratic Party’s decision-making process regarding its vice-presidential pick for the 2024 election.
Specifically, Zeitchik is worried that Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat from Pennsylvania and a leading contender for the VP slot, was passed over in favor of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz due to Shapiro’s Jewish identity.
Zeitchik begins his column by admitting that he was initially skeptical of the idea that Shapiro’s Jewishness was the reason for his exclusion. However, after reflecting on the situation and discussing it with others in Hollywood, many of whom are liberal Jewish Americans, he started to see the decision differently.
Zeitchik pointed out that a progressive social media campaign aimed at discrediting Shapiro, branding him as “Genocide Josh” and falsely portraying him as an ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, may have influenced the Harris campaign’s decision. Shapiro’s views on Israel, which align with the standard Democratic position of supporting a two-state solution, were suddenly painted as extreme, raising concerns about the role of antisemitism in the process.
Zeitchik isn’t alone in his concerns. Prominent media figures, including CNN’s Van Jones, have questioned whether Shapiro was sidelined due to pressure from antisemitic elements within the Democratic Party. NBC’s Chuck Todd also weighed in, suggesting that Harris might be susceptible to influence from the party’s far-left factions, which could be pushing an agenda that marginalizes Jewish voices.
This situation has struck a chord with many in Hollywood’s Jewish community. Zeitchik mentions that his liberal Jewish colleagues feel increasingly uneasy, caught between their belief in Democratic policies and the growing fear that they are being excluded from their own political “home.”
The sentiment is that while they’ve long defended the Democratic Party against accusations of antisemitism from the right, they’re now feeling the sting from within their own ranks.
Zeitchik also noted the disturbing enthusiasm from those who campaigned against Shapiro, a “traditionally observant Jew,” who has always been open about his faith. The satisfaction these groups took in sidelining Shapiro has left many Jewish Democrats questioning their place in the party, especially in the aftermath of events like those following October 7, when the Jewish community was already feeling vulnerable.
While Zeitchik acknowledges that Walz has a strong record of speaking out against antisemitism, he argues that this doesn’t entirely dispel the shadow of antisemitism surrounding Harris’s choice. The issue, as Zeitchik sees it, is not just about the individual selected but about the broader message this decision sends to Jewish Americans who have long supported the Democratic Party.
Zeitchik concludes his piece on a somber note, reflecting a broader anxiety within the liberal Jewish community. They find themselves “hopelessly marooned” between their commitment to Democratic policies and a growing concern that they might no longer be fully welcomed in the party they’ve supported for so long.