House Democrat on Shapiro criticism: 'Strong undercurrent of antisemitism'

Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) responded Monday to the increased criticism of vice presidential contender and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) within the Democratic Party, arguing it had a “strong undercurrent of antisemitism.” 

“Those in the overly online left who are attacking Josh Shapiro’s pro-Israel positions in a different way than they are attacking non-Jewish veep contenders positions, they’re just telling on themselves. There’s a strong undercurrent of antisemitism,” Auchincloss told Kasie Hunt on "CNN This Morning," adding that “it’s unacceptable.” 

“Holding him to a different standard because of his religion just simply isn’t who we are as a Democratic Party,” he continued. 

Shapiro, who is one of the leading contenders for Harris’s vice presidential pick, has seen an uptick in criticism in recent days as his stock has risen. 

Progressive and pro-Palestinian segments of the political left have criticized Shapiro over his stance on Israel as well as his response to pro-Palestinian protests following the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel last year. 

However, Shapiro’s supporters and progressive critics point out that Shapiro’s stance on Israel is not drastically different from the other vice presidential contenders and Harris’s stance on the issue. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly (D) attended and applauded during Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress late last month, despite many Democrats skipping it in protest of his policies. Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) has shown openness to the protesters' message but has also acknowledged instances where Jewish students feel unsafe on campuses.

Unlike most of the other top contenders, Shapiro is Jewish. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D), who was also vetted for the position, is also Jewish. 

Shapiro has also been critical of Netanyahu, calling him “one of the worst leaders of all time” and has called for a two-state solution. But Friday, an op-ed Shapiro wrote as a 20-year-old university student surfaced in which he wrote he believed peace “will never come” to the Middle East. Shapiro’s spokesperson Manuel Bonder said the governor’s views on the issue have since “evolved into the position he holds today.”