NC Democratic Party approves new Jewish caucus
Amid fighting in the Middle East, Jewish Democrats have earned a stronger voice within the North Carolina Democratic Party.
The state Democratic Party’s Executive Committee on Sunday voted 31-4 to approve the creation of a new Jewish caucus. The move concludes an effort that began long before Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 but that gained national attention because of it.
Anderson Clayton, chair of the state party, said the vote shows the Democrats’ commitment to being a “big tent party.”
“It was incredibly important to us to call this meeting to ensure the Jewish Caucus gets official recognition,” Clayton said in a statement.
“In a time of divisiveness and heightened emotions and fear, I am proud that tonight we made sure to go into 2024 united,” she said. “The North Carolina Democratic Party stands against Islamophobia, antisemitism, and any form of hatred against marginalized communities.”
The party faced scrutiny from Republicans and some Democrats after its executive committee initially voted against recognizing the caucus in a closely divided Nov. 12 vote.
Critics said the vote was evidence of antisemitism within the party. That includes North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, considered the Republican front runner for governor. Robinson, who has been accused of making antisemitic remarks, has taken extraordinary steps to demonstrate his support for Israel in recent weeks.
Members of the state Democratic Party pointed to procedural issues and internal spats as the reasons the caucus failed to gain recognition during the first vote.
The party is home to nearly 20 affiliated organizations — for women, young people, the LGBTQ community, veterans, and more — that each get a seat on the party’s executive committee, among others.
Party rules lay out specific requirements caucuses must meet in order to receive formal recognition. Some members who withheld their support for the Jewish caucus were concerned that the group had yet to meet all of the party’s requirements, Clayton said last month.
And, prior to the first vote, a former leader of the proposed caucus was accused of making Islamophobic comments about one of the party’s members — drawing a rebuke from the party’s Asian American and Pacific Islanders Caucus.
Attorney General Josh Stein, who is Jewish, is considered the Democratic front runner for governor. After the initial vote, he met with Clayton “to find a path forward.” On Monday, Stein said he was pleased to see the caucus earn approval.
"Every North Carolinian has value and something to contribute, and the North Carolina Democratic Party welcomes all,” Stein said in a statement. “Together, we will stand up against antisemitism and other forms of hate and continue the important work of delivering for North Carolinians."
The caucus drama played out as the Democrats across the country have argued over the Israel conflict — and the U.S. government’s role in supporting Israel, the U.S.’s biggest Middle Eastern ally.
While some in the party have criticized the Biden administration for not speaking out enough for Palestinians harmed by Israel’s counter response against Hamas, supporters of Israel have accused Democrats of not doing enough to address a rising tide of antisemitism.
