As the Democratic National Convention kicked off in Chicago, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro found himself at the center of a swirling controversy. The Jewish politician, recently considered a frontrunner for Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate, addressed rumors that antisemitism played a role in his non-selection.
"Antisemitism played no role in the dialogue I had with the vice president. None," Shapiro told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in a candid interview. His statement comes in the wake of a progressive campaign that criticized his perceived pro-Israel stance, an effort some labeled as antisemitic.
As reported by The Times of Israel, Shapiro blamed former President Donald Trump for the narrative, saying "Donald Trump has tried to stoke a lot of this."
The governor also took the opportunity to highlight Trump's controversial history with antisemitism, particularly his response to the 2017 Charlottesville rally. "Donald Trump is the least credible person when it comes to speaking out against antisemitism, hatred, bigotry," Shapiro asserted.
Meanwhile, the Israel-Hamas conflict looms large over the convention. With pro-Palestinian marchers expected in the thousands and the presence of the "Uncommitted" movement among delegates, the DNC has scheduled panels on both Palestinian human rights and antisemitism in the U.S.
Despite the controversy, Shapiro remains a popular figure within the party. His speech to state delegations, punctuated by his signature phrase "We get **** done," was met with enthusiastic applause.
