(TJV) A candidate running for a congressional seat in New York’s 17th district, which has a significant Jewish constituency, faced criticism for a social media post in which he mocked former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The post featured a photo of McCarthy wearing a yarmulke during a meeting with Orthodox Jewish leaders in Rockland County, New York.

Mondaire Jones, a former congressman and current US Commissioner on Civil Rights, who is running against Republican Mike Lawler, made fun of McCarthy’s ouster from the speakership after McCarthy lost a motion to vacate led by eight Republican rebels.

Jones’ post drew immediate criticism from fellow Democrats, including Jewish representatives Rep. Josh Gottheimer and Rep. Jared Moskowitz, who found the post insulting and accused it of being antisemitic. Both Gottheimer and Moskowitz had voted to remove McCarthy from the Speakership.

The Republican Jewish Coalition also criticized Jones, questioning why he considered it a “waste of time” to meet with Jewish voters.

Jones later deleted the post, explaining that it was open to misinterpretation. He clarified that his intention was to highlight McCarthy’s inability to deliver for Rockland communities because he was no longer Speaker. Jones emphasized his commitment to combatting antisemitism and supporting the Jewish community.

In response, Mike Lawler, Jones’ Republican opponent, condemned his comments as disqualifying and associated him with left-wing progressive members of Congress, such as the “Squad.” Lawler pledged his support for Israel and the Jewish communities in the district.

Jones, who previously served in Congress from 2020 to 2022, identifies as pro-Israel and is one of three Democrats running in the New York Democratic primary race for the 17th district, scheduled for June 2024.