Twitch Streamer Hasan Piker Criticized for Blaming Israel for Jewish Voters' Shift from Democrats
Piker's comments on X attributed the trend to support for Israel, drawing sharp rebukes from critics who called his remarks antisemitic.
Controversial Twitch streamer Hasan Piker has drawn criticism for attributing the recent shift of New York Jewish voters away from the Democratic Party solely to their support for Israel. Polling data indicates a significant decline in Democratic support among this demographic in New York.
Hasan Piker took to X, formerly Twitter, to comment on a CNN clip discussing a drop in support for Democrats among Jewish voters in New York. He expressed dismay, stating, “It’s wild that this many jewish voters are leaving the democratic party over israel. It’s not like the republican alternatives are presenting a more appealing policy agenda, it’s just israel! It’s literally over the continuation of israel’s belligerence. A real shame.”
According to CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten, citing Siena Polling data, Jewish support for New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, has decreased since the 2022 election. Enten noted that the Democratic advantage among New York Jewish voters has narrowed by 36 points since 2022. In 2018, Democrats held a 40-point lead among this group, which grew to 49 points in 2022. The average of polls this year shows the lead reduced to just 13 points, a substantial shift.
Backlash and Accusations
Piker's assertion that the shift was exclusively tied to Israel was met with strong opposition. Sam Markstein, communications director for the Republican Jewish Coalition, accused Piker of employing an antisemitic trope, telling Fox News Digital that the streamer's statement plays into the idea of dual loyalty and trivializes the rise in antisemitic threats.
Markstein further stated, “American Jews are fleeing the Democratic Party because its leadership continues to elevate, embrace and appease the most radicalized elements of their anti-America extremist party base.” He also pointed to Piker's past controversial remarks, including stating that "America deserved 9/11."
Shai Davidai, author of “American Intellectual Antisemitism,” responded to Piker on X, saying, “It’s not ‘over Israel.’ It’s over people like you.”
New York Post columnist Karol Markowicz argued that Jewish voters have multiple reasons for shifting away from the Democratic Party, extending beyond Israel. "Even setting aside support for Israel, which Jews should absolutely not, Jews are regularly assaulted in NY and no Democrats care. They aren’t allowed to defend themselves and the mayor regularly riles up the attackers. Easy call to vote Republican,” Markowicz wrote on X.
Piker, a known critic of Israel, has previously made remarks that have drawn condemnation. In August, he was criticized for saying, “People don’t f— with Israel any longer. And if Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they’re singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone will come around and take action not against Israel, mind you, but against American Jews.”
Critics interpreted these remarks as blaming Jewish Americans for antisemitic attacks. Democratic Sens. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Jacky Rosen of Nevada condemned Piker's comments. Senator Rosen stated that blaming Jewish Americans for the violence and hate they face is wrong and provides an excuse for perpetrators of anti-Jewish hate crimes.
Several other Democrats, including Sen. Cory Booker, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Representatives Josh Gottheimer, Ritchie Torres, Jared Moskowitz, Brad Schneider, Greg Stanton, and Hillary Scholten, also criticized Piker.
Abdul El-Sayed, the Michigan Democratic Senate nominee who had previously campaigned with Piker, distanced himself from the streamer following the controversial remarks. El-Sayed emphasized the importance of advocating for beliefs without fear of violence and stated his commitment to Jewish safety, condemning antisemitism in all its forms and any rhetoric that puts the community at risk.