Pennsylvania Justice David Wecht leaves Democratic Party over antisemitism

Wecht also criticized the Democratic Party’s response in 2019 after Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., made antisemitic remarks.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht announced Monday that he is leaving the Democratic Party and registering as an independent, saying antisemitism has become increasingly accepted within parts of the political left and the Democratic Party.

Wecht, who is Jewish and previously served as vice chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, said he could no longer remain affiliated with the party because of what he described as growing tolerance for anti-Jewish rhetoric and behavior.

“Acquiescence to Jew-hatred is now disturbingly common among activists, leaders and even many elected officials in the Democratic Party,” Wecht wrote in a statement.

“Nazi tattoos, jihadist chants, intimidation and attacks at synagogues, and other hateful anti-Jewish invective and actions are minimized, ignored, and even coddled,” he added.

Wecht said he had long believed antisemitism was concentrated primarily on the far right, particularly following the 2018 mass shooting at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue.

The justice grew up in Pittsburgh, was married at the Tree of Life synagogue and previously served as a board member there.

But attitudes have changed in recent years, Wecht said.

“Increasingly, it has moved from the fringe to the mainstream,” he wrote regarding antisemitism on the left. “It is the duty of all good people to fight this virus, and to do so before it is too late.”

“I can no longer abide this. So, I won’t,” Wecht said. “I am no longer registered with any political party.”

Wecht also criticized the Democratic Party’s response in 2019 after Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., made antisemitic remarks.

In his statement announcing his departure from the party, Wecht said that he views antisemitism and anti-Zionism as interchangeable.

The justice was reelected last year and retained by Pennsylvania voters for another 10-year term on the state Supreme Court.

Wecht did not announce any plans to join another political party and said he would instead remain registered as an independent.