"We've crossed the rubicon": Jewish lawmakers face an explosion of antisemitism

"Axios reviewed dozens of voicemails, letters and emails sent tothe offices of Jewish House members - Democrats and Republicans. Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) received a voicemail saying "antisemitism is on the rise because you guys think you own the f*cking world," and "you guys are going to be shot dead every f*cking day." In interviews, lawmakers described the problem as worse than they've ever seen. "We've crossed the Rubicon," said Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.)."

""Hitler was spot-on, 100% right," one constituent wrote to Jewish Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) in a profane letter shared with Axios. Ranted one caller in a voicemail to Rep. Greg Landsman's (D-Ohio) office: "I don't like Jewish people, and the congressman should just go die." Several antisemitic incidents have rocked the American political world over the last two weeks."

""If I were to sit with you and, together, scroll through my social media mentions, comments, direct messages, your jaw would drop," said California state Sen. Scott Wiener, who is running for Congress. Several antisemitic incidents have rocked the American political world over the last two weeks. Several antisemitic incidents have rocked the American political world over the last two weeks."

"A hard-right PAC supporting Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) ran an ad portraying Jewish donor Paul Singer alongside a rainbow Star of David, which was first reported by Axios. Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.) called it "the most brazen example of an antisemitic political ad that I have seen in years." The ad set off frenzied private discussion among Congressional Jewish Caucus members this week, according to multiple sources, with lawmakers rattled about the current state of American political discourse."

Antisemitic harassment is reaching lawmakers through constituent calls, emails, voicemails, social media comments, direct messages, and campaign ads. Jewish members of Congress and other officials report the volume and intensity as worse than before, describing a shift beyond prior boundaries. Examples include profane letters praising Hitler, threats of violence, and statements expressing hatred toward Jewish people. Axios reviewed dozens of messages sent to offices of Jewish House members across party lines. Antisemitism also appears in political advertising, including a hard-right PAC ad portraying a Jewish donor with a rainbow Star of David. Lawmakers reacted with alarm and private concern about the state of political discourse.

Read at Axios