Pittsburgh Race Highlights Rifts Among Democrats View on Eretz Yisroel

Pittsburgh, PA — A congressional race in Pittsburgh, PA, is testing the Democratic Party’s stance on Eretz Yisroel.

Since the Milchama broke out in Eretz Yisroel, after Hamas terrorists attacked and massacred 1200 Yidden and kidnapped hundreds on Simchas Torah, the public sentiment in the US has been mostly positive for Eretz Yisroel, especially in Congress.

But the self-named far-left “Squad” in Congress has been bashing Israel ever since the war began. One Congress member, Rep. Summer Lee, who represents large parts of Pittsburgh (which includes the large Frum Pittsburgh community of Squirrel Hill), is facing a hard reelection due to her views and attacks on Eretz Yisroel.

Bhavini Patel, an Edgewood Borough Council member in Pittsburgh, is challenging Rep. Lee in the democratic primary for the 12th Congressional District in Pennsylvania. The war in Eretz Yisroel is a major flashpoint. Patel paints herself as a common-sense progressive, who denounces extremism and wants everyone to “experience the American dream.”

During an event hosted by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, Patel contrasted herself with her opponent, stating that she supports Israel’s right to defend itself and makes herself available to the Jewish community and the concerns affecting the Jewish kehilla.

“[Lee] tweeted out something, knowing that the Biden administration had called for a full investigation by the Israeli government as to what happened,” Patel said of her opponent. “She tweeted language calling it a ‘targeted’ attack against humanitarian aid workers. It’s important to point out, because when you use language like that it stokes antisemitism and puts the Jewish community in a very precarious position.”

On the other side, Rep. Lee has gone out of her way to attack Eretz Yisroel each day since, as summarized by the American Jewish Congress (edited for brevity):

• U.S. Representative Summer Lee has a history of making controversial remarks and has voted repeatedly against legislation supporting Israel.
• Rep. Lee voted against House Resolution 798, which would condemn the support of terrorist organizations and antisemitism on college campuses.
• After the attacks on Simchas Torah, Lee voted against a resolution, that stated that the House of Representatives “stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists” and “reaffirms the United States’ commitment to Israel’s security” and it was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.
• Lee was criticized for sharing a false social media post in which she claimed that Eretz Yisroel struck a Palestinian hospital — claims that were debunked by U.S. intelligence agencies. Lee later acknowledged the claim was in doubt. (Rep. Lee also took three weeks to delete that blood-libel post).
• In July 2023, Lee joined other far-left “Squad” members in Congress voting against a congressional resolution highlighting that “the State of Israel is not a racist or apartheid state,” that Congress rejects “all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia,” and that “the United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel.”

The primary election is being held on April 23rd (on the first day of Pesach). FrumNews.com is joining in with Pittsburgh Askunim and Frum Community Leaders who are strongly urging the growing Yiddishe Kehilla to vote early by mail in this critical primary election for Bhavini Patel, who has proven to be a dear friend and ally of our community and of Eretz Yisroel. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO REQUEST A BALLOT BY MAIL.

FrumNews.com Endorses Bhavini Patel for the 12th Congressional District of Pennsylvania!

Rabbi Yitzi Genack, an Orthodox rabbi in Squirrel Hill, dressed up as a mail-in ballot on Purim—& encouraged people in the community to vote by mail for Bhavini Patel over Rep. Summer Lee.

The PA primary falls on the first day of Passover, so observant Jews can’t vote that day. pic.twitter.com/rIzhurmQzJ

— Gabby Deutch (@GSDeutch) March 27, 2024