By: Tzirel Rosenblatt

On Thursday, VIN News reported that Harlem Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs is facing a growing wave of outrage after being caught on video making anti-Semitic remarks directed at longtime Congressman Jerry Nadler, referring to the veteran lawmaker as “the old Jew man” and crudely suggesting that someone should “change his pampers later.”

The inflammatory comments, captured shortly after Gibbs’ re-election victory, have triggered condemnation from across New York’s political establishment and prompted renewed debate about standards of conduct within the Democratic Party.

According to the information provided in the VIN News report, the footage surfaced earlier this week, showing Gibbs in a celebratory setting surrounded by supporters when he made the offensive comments. The video quickly circulated on social media, prompting widespread backlash and calls for accountability.

Rep. Jerry Nadler, who has represented Manhattan in Congress for more than three decades and currently serves as the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, issued a forceful response. In a statement quoted in the VIN News report, Nadler denounced Gibbs’ remarks as “anti-Semitic and disgraceful,” adding that such rhetoric has “no place in New York politics or anywhere else.”

Nadler further emphasized that divisive or bigoted language — particularly targeting a person’s faith or identity — undermines the values of mutual respect and equality that public service demands.

As the VIN News report noted, both Gibbs and Nadler are members of the Democratic Party, representing neighboring districts in Manhattan. Their strained relationship became public during the campaign season, when Gibbs falsely implied that Nadler had endorsed his re-election bid — a claim that Nadler’s office swiftly refuted.

The latest controversy has deepened the rift between the two officials and placed pressure on Democratic leaders to respond. According to the VIN News report, as of Thursday evening, the New York State Democratic Party and Assembly leadership had not yet indicated whether disciplinary action would be taken against Gibbs.

Calls for an investigation or possible censure have begun circulating among community organizations and civil rights advocates, who view the remarks as part of a troubling rise in anti-Semitic rhetoric in public life.

A spokesperson for Nadler’s office declined to comment on whether the congressman has spoken directly with Gibbs since the incident but reiterated that Nadler “will continue focusing on serving his constituents and combating hate in all its forms.”

Gibbs, who represents Harlem’s 68th Assembly District, made history as the first formerly incarcerated individual elected to the New York State Assembly. However, VIN News reported that his recent comments have overshadowed his prior reputation as a community advocate and reform voice.

Prominent Jewish organizations and interfaith leaders have also spoken out in the aftermath of the incident. The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York condemned Gibbs’ remarks in a statement quoted by VIN News, calling them “deeply offensive and incompatible with the principles of public service.” The group urged Assembly leadership to address the issue swiftly to reaffirm its commitment to combating prejudice.

Meanwhile, Harlem residents and local officials have expressed disappointment, with several noting that Gibbs’ remarks stand in stark contrast to his public image as a bridge-builder between communities.

As the backlash continues to grow, attention now turns to whether Democratic leaders in Albany will move to sanction or formally reprimand Gibbs. According to the report at VIN News, the Assembly has procedures for reviewing member conduct, though disciplinary measures are rare and typically reserved for serious or repeated violations.

For now, Gibbs has not issued a formal apology or public statement addressing the remarks. His silence has drawn further criticism, with many viewing it as a missed opportunity to demonstrate accountability.

VIN News reported that several members of the New York delegation, including lawmakers in both city and state government, are privately urging Gibbs to apologize publicly to Congressman Nadler and the Jewish community.

As the controversy unfolds, political observers noted that the incident calls attention to the heightened sensitivity surrounding virulent anti-Semitism, hate speech and religious intolerance in an increasingly polarized political environment.

For Congressman Nadler, whose decades-long career has been marked by advocacy for civil rights and religious freedom, the remarks were both personal and symbolic of a broader issue — one that the VIN News report described as demanding immediate attention and moral clarity from party leaders.

Whether disciplinary action follows or not, the fallout from Gibbs’ comments continues to reverberate across New York’s political landscape, testing the Democratic Party’s resolve to confront bigotry within its own ranks