Washington State Dems adopt party platform blaming Israeli government for rise in antisemitism

The Washington State Democratic Party has adopted a new party platform that blames the Israeli government for the rise in antisemitism in the US while embracing a series of anti-Israel policy positions, drawing sharp criticism from Jewish leaders, Democratic lawmakers, and Republican officials across the state.

The platform, finalized during the party's June 19-21 state convention in Spokane, and obtained by The Jerusalem News Syndicate, states that "there has been a dramatic resurgence in antisemitism in recent years on all sides of the political spectrum, due in part to actions taken by the Israeli government."

The document continues, "History shows us the dangerous repercussions suffered when collective action to combat antisemitism and promote understanding is not taken. We must ensure that the Jewish community is protected from misinformation, harassment, and violence."

The platform also includes an extensive section on Palestinian rights and foreign policy, calling for an "end to occupation," restoration of funding for the embattled United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), whose workers allegedly participated in the Oct 7, 2023, massacre of Israelis. The platform also demands payment for the reconstruction of Gaza and an end to Israeli military checkpoints and settlement expansion.

It further states, "We reject racist political ideologies rooted in supremacy, including forms of Zionism, that perpetuate settler colonialism, occupation, apartheid, displacement and unequal treatment under the law."

The platform also calls for investigations into "credible evidence of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity," language that critics argue echoes accusations frequently leveled against Israel since the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks.

Another section of the platform claimed the Holocaust is focused on too much in schools, a line critics said parrots antisemitic talking points.

The platform's adoption comes as the Evergreen State has seen repeated anti-Israel demonstrations, campus encampments, vandalism targeting Jewish institutions, and increasing concerns from Jewish organizations about targeted antisemitism. The University of Washington and local school districts have faced federal civil rights scrutiny over allegations that Jewish students were subjected to hostile environments, while activist groups have repeatedly organized events supporting Palestinian causes and honoring members of terrorist organizations.

A representative of the Washington State Jewish Democratic Caucus, speaking anonymously to JNS, said the group learned about the final language too late to make changes, adding that anti-Israel activists regularly attend party events and have become significantly more engaged than pro-Israel Democrats.

State Sen. Jesse Salomon (D-Shoreline), co-chair of the Washington State Jewish Legislative Caucus, told JNS that neither he nor the caucus was consulted before the language was adopted. "As co-chair of the Jewish legislative caucus, I heard nothing about this from the state party. It is very disappointing that they would speak for us without including us."

Salomon also pointed to previous disagreements within the party over legislation intended to protect Jewish houses of worship. "The same wing of the so-called progressive community has blocked those bills," he added. "It's like you can't win. I don't understand the failure to recognize this."

According to Salomon, the platform reflects a broader trend within progressive politics. "It is clear that unless one is willing to denounce all affinity for the Jewish state, we are not welcome in many progressive spaces. No other identity group is subjected to that," he told the outlet. "That is in itself antisemitic and creates an atmosphere of intolerance and lack of safety."

Salomon also criticized the Washington State Human Rights Commission's recently adopted definition of antisemitism. "The state's Human Rights Commission took a position denouncing Jew-hatred, but it was a tortured definition that definitely didn't get input from the mainstream Jewish community. I found it to be quite offensive the way they stated it, and others I talked to did as well."

He continued, "I don't understand why the first principle of DEI—'nothing about us without us'—does not apply to the Jewish community."

Solly Kane, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, said his organization had previously warned Democratic leaders about concerns over draft language. "Some draft language from the Democratic Party Platform was shared with us in advance of the convention by party leadership," Kane told JNS. "As we expressed at that time, and reiterate now, there are numerous problematic elements in the language."

Kane said many Jewish Democrats have disengaged from the party after repeated frustrations. "Unfortunately, we know of far too many Jewish Democrats in Washington state who are no longer engaged in the Democratic Party."

"For years, and in the face of record levels of anti-Jewish harm, these community members have tried to ensure their legislative districts and the party platform focuses on issues core to our state and takes positions that uphold the safety and belonging of all Washingtonians, including Jews."

"Sadly, after advocating with compassion and respect, sharing lived experiences and being met time and time again with ignorance, gaslighting and obstinance, many Jews no longer feel safe to voice their concerns or perspectives."

Washington State Republican Party Chairman Jim Walsh blasted the platform's language. "Blaming Israel for the rise in antisemitism on the political left and in the Democratic Party specifically is classic narcissistic behavior," Walsh told JNS.

"It's what abusive husbands do to battered wives." He added: "More important to normal people, it's false."

Sam Markstein, political director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, argued that the platform reflects broader trends among Democratic elected officials. "Washington state Democrats made it official. When antisemitism surges on the left, they outrageously blame the Jewish state," Markstein told JNS.

He also pointed to Washington's congressional delegation, criticizing Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Sen. Patty Murray, and Sen. Maria Cantwell over their anti-Israel positions. "Every Washington Democrat in Congress, Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries should answer for a state party that scapegoats Israel instead of confronting Jew-hatred in its own ranks," Markstein told the outlet. "Rather than shamefully directing their ire at Israel, Washington Democrats should look in the mirror."

The platform also drew criticism from several national Jewish organizations. Regina Sassoon Friedland, regional director of the American Jewish Committee's Seattle office, told JNS, "Any attempt to justify antisemitism is not only offensive but dangerous."

"Blaming Israel and the Jewish people for surging Jewish-hatred is victim-blaming and gives cover to those who demonize Jews in Washington state and around the world."

Simon Wiesenthal Center CEO Jim Berk called the platform's wording "dangerously wrong." "The Washington State Democratic Party gets one thing right: antisemitism is rising," Berk told the outlet.

"But it gets one thing dangerously wrong by suggesting that this resurgence is 'due in part to actions taken by the Israeli government.' That is victim-blaming. Antisemitism is not caused by Jews or by the policies of the world's only Jewish state. It is caused by antisemites."

He added, "When antisemitism is framed as an understandable response to Israeli policy, responsibility shifts away from those who choose to hate and toward those who become its victims."

Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, argued that the platform itself fuels antisemitism. "The Washington State Democratic Platform foments antisemitism by promoting and spreading numerous antisemitic blood libels about Israel, Zionism and Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria," Klein told JNS. "Then the platform has the gall to blame Israel, the victim of these lies, for part of the dramatic resurgence in antisemitism."

Robert Spitzer, president of B'nai B'rith International, also criticized the platform. "It is unfortunate that while the Democratic Party of Washington stands for many important values, to suggest in its party platform that Washington schools should be teaching children what amounts to a 'blood libel' against Israel is disappointing and ill advised," Spitzer told JNS.