Sean Hannity Demands Apology from the JPost for Saying that His Use of the Word “Bolshevism” is Anti-Semitic

Edited by: Fern Sidman

Seems like Fox News’ talk show host Sean Hannity is more than a bit miffed at accusations made at him by the Jerusalem Post. On Sunday, JTA reported that Hannity has demanded both a retraction & apology from the Israeli-based newspaper for saying that the use of the work “Bolshevik” by the talk show host to describe Vermont senator Bernie Sanders had anti-Semitic connotations.

“I demand an immediate retraction & apology from the @Jerusalem_Post,” Hannity tweeted Friday evening. “Israel has no greater friend, ally and supporter in the U.S. than me. I have a record of unwavering and passionate support for the state of Israel for 33 years on radio and 25 years on TV.”

JTA reported that Hannity mentioned what he described as friendly relations with Israeli Prime Ministers Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, as well as the late Shimon Peres.

The Jerusalem Post reported that on Friday Hannity tweeted the headline of an article, titled “BOLSHEVIK BERNIE: Sanders Says Dems Just ‘Beginning to Create an Economy That Works For All,’” which covers Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ response to President Joe Biden’s first address to a joint session of Congress, wherein the president laid out his vision for the coming years.

The JPost did not specifically say that Hannity was anti-Semitic but said that the term Bolshevism has a history of anti-Semitic slander.

The JPost said that the term Bolshevism “dates back over 100 years to the anti-communist Russian White Party, whose 1917 pamphlet The Jewish Bolshevism featured in racist propaganda and which featured ideas that eventually made their way to the German Nazi Party, which propagated and popularized them in the German consciousness in the 1930s.”

JTA reported that The Jerusalem Post did not apologize or retract the article but updated it with a statement from Hannity.

In his full statement, Hannity said: “There is no member of the press in the United States that has been more supportive of the state of Israel than I have been and will continue to be.  I have visited Israel a number of times over the years. Ambassador Dore Gold (a friend) gave me an extensive tour of the old city that I was able to share with my TV Audience. I even had the honor of a second tour with Ambassador Ron Dermer.

“On another trip to Israel I videotaped a helicopter ride from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem so Americans can fully understand the unique security challenges Israel faces daily, being only the size of the state of New Jersey. Israel’s security challenges are unlike any other country.”

“I’ve reported on the border with Gaza in the middle of military flare ups, and spent time inside indoor bunker protected playgrounds that Israeli children play in because of Rockets being fired into border towns in Israel. Again I’ve shared all of this video with my television audience.”

“I’ve been able to share with my American audience the incredible protection provided by the Iron Dome. I was also able to share with my American TV audience video of rockets recovered that were fired into Israeli cities over the years. I was also honored to visit with police departments on the security challenges of border cities. I’ve visited with and interviewed IDF soldiers in the field on the heroic work they do daily.”

“I believe I am the only American member of the press to show video of the sophisticated tunnels built by enemies of Israel that have been used to commit acts of terrorism against the state of Israel. On multiple trips to Israel I always do my radio show live from Tel Aviv 102 FM. And I have broadcast “Israel only” shows on the station on a number of occasions from the US. And no, I do not get paid for such broadcasts.”

“I do this because I’m passionate about the safety and security of America’s closest ally in the Middle East. I have a great relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu. And I have had a great relationship with many other leaders in Israel including the late Shimon Peres, Ehud Barak and others.”

“As for Bernie Sanders, he holds the most radical socialist views in the USA. He actually honeymooned in the former Soviet Union, and has defended Soviet backed murdering regimes like the former Soviet Union, Cuba and Nicaragua. Hence the reason I refer to him and will continue to refer to him as ‘Bolshevik Bernie.’ A rudimentary amount of research by the Jerusalem Post would have provided the proper context to my name for Bernie Sanders.”

“My love, prayers and strong commitment to the state of Israel will never waver. As a top rated host on both radio and television in America, my support for Israel has never wavered in 33 years on the radio and 25 years and that will never change.”