(JNS) A local branch of the Michigan Democratic Party apologized for an anti-Semitic post on social media on Tuesday.
Referring specifically to the Democratic primary race between incumbent Reps. Andy Levin (D-Mich.) and Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) in the state’s 11th Congressional District, a TikTok post from the Washtenaw County Democrats included a video from MSNBC discussing money in politics and a description of “AIPAC vs. Andy Levin.” Attached to the post, the organization wrote “Zionists have no place in office.”
The post referenced the proxy battle in the primary race between mainstream pro-Israel organizations, which support Stevens, against left-wing groups such as J Street, which support Levin.
According to the Detroit Metro Times, a screenshot of the since-deleted post was tweeted by Jewish Democrat and University of Michigan board of regents member Jordan Acker. The University of Michigan is located in the city of Ann Arbor, west of Detroit in Washtenaw County.
“Hey [Washtenaw County Democrats], I hope this isn’t you. P.S., [Andy Levin] and [Haley Stevens] are both Zionists. And this is blatant and disgusting anti-Semitism,” tweeted Acker.
Chris Savage, chairman of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party, told Metro Times that he sincerely apologizes to the Jewish community and anyone offended by the post.
“It does not represent who we are as Democrats or thoughtful, caring, compassionate members of society. We are much better than this,” he said. “The post has been deleted, and our social-media channels will be shut down until we establish specific policies regarding vetting of posts on these channels from this moment forward.”
Michigan has several hotly contested primary races, including two closely watched by Jewish groups—the 11th and 13th Congressional Districts. J Street, AIPAC, Democratic Majority for Israel and Pro-Israel America have all chosen candidates to support with their organizations and related super PACs providing millions to boost them.
United Democracy Project, an AIPAC-affiliated super PAC, has spent more than $3.9 million in support of Stevens and $343,000 in advertisements attacking Levin. J Street’s PAC has spent approximately $700,000 supporting Levin.
