Jewish Americans confronted with classic antisemitism, while Israel stands firm as Arab narratives normalize prejudice globally..
Former U.S. antisemitism envoy Deborah Lipstadt strongly condemned the treatment of Josh Shapiro during vetting to become Kamala Harris’s potential running mate, after revelations that he was asked whether he was an “Israeli agent.”
Lipstadt described the question as “classic antisemitism,” stressing that such suspicion uniquely targets Jews and reflects precisely why the role of antisemitism envoy was necessary. She said she was never subjected to such questioning during her own White House vetting.
Her former deputy, Aaron Keyak, echoed the criticism, calling the inquiry anti-American and rooted in a long-standing double standard imposed on Jewish public servants. He questioned why Shapiro alone was targeted, arguing the answer was painfully obvious.
The controversy follows excerpts from Shapiro’s upcoming memoir Where We Keep the Light, in which he recounts being asked if he was a “double agent for Israel” during last-minute vetting. Shapiro said the question was offensive, though he was told it “had to be asked.”
While Shapiro later stated antisemitism did not determine Harris’s final decision — she ultimately chose Tim Walz — the incident reignited debate over antisemitism within American politics, particularly as hostility toward Israel increasingly spills into suspicion toward Jews themselves.
Critics argue that while Arab and Palestinian narratives are routinely granted legitimacy without scrutiny, Jewish loyalty is questioned simply for supporting Israel — exposing a global double standard that Israel continues to confront head-on.
