Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., delivered a fiery rebuke of left-wing streamer Hasan Piker on Tuesday, calling his rhetoric about Jewish Americans “dangerous,” “hateful” and “antisemitic.”
Booker was responding to comments Piker made during an Aug. 20 Twitch livestream. Piker suggested that American Jews who closely connect their identities to Israel could worsen antisemitism and risk provoking violence against themselves.
“Suggesting that Jewish Americans bear responsibility for hatred or violence directed against them is wrong, dangerous, and antisemitic,” Booker wrote on X.
The New Jersey Democrat said Americans should vigorously debate the Israeli government’s actions and U.S. foreign policy, calling that discussion essential to democracy. However, he argued that Piker’s comments went far beyond a legitimate policy dispute.
“No American should be told that their political beliefs make them responsible for hatred or violence directed against them,” Booker said, adding that Piker had repeatedly crossed the line between debate and rhetoric that fuels hatred.
Booker was joined by other prominent Democrats. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., described Piker’s comments as “a new low” that blamed potential victims. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also condemned the suggestion that Jewish Americans were inviting violence against themselves.
Piker rejected the backlash, describing it as a “coordinated smear campaign.” He said his remarks were intended to caution against conflating Judaism with Zionism.
The dispute has also increased pressure on Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who previously associated with Piker. El-Sayed said antisemitism is a “scourge” and affirmed his commitment to Jewish safety and Americans’ right to advocate without fearing violence.
