North Carolina Democratic Party rejects call for Jewish Caucus

North Carolina Democratic Party Headquarters, Creative Commons image by Susan Gerbic.

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  • “The leadership abstentions were even more cowardly - Clayton Anderson, Jonah Garson, Kimberly Hardy, Elijah King.” Abrams said, ”They knew the Jewish Caucus met the requirements; their abstentions sent a clear signal to the Executive Committee."

According to an internal email, the North Carolina Democratic Party (NCDP) has rejected an application for a Jewish Caucus to be formally affiliated with the state party. 

Steve Abrams, the President of the Durham Chapter of the NC Jewish Caucus informed members of the decision in an email this week. The Executive Committee of the NCDP voted 16 in favor, 17 against, and 16 abstentions to deny the affiliation. According to Abrams the Caucus had submitted all the proper information and met all requirements. 

“The NCDP Executive Committee only should have considered if the requirements were met – yes or no. Instead, the meeting was hijacked by the anti-Jewish left, changing the question to – Does the NCDP want a Jewish Caucus?” wrote Abrams. 

A divide has been growing in the party since the Hamas attack in Israel on Oct. 7. Weeks ago, North Carolina Democrats walked out of the General Assembly during a vote on a resolution to support our middle east ally. 

Abrams highlighted that the leadership, including NCDP Chairwoman Anderson Clayton, who was among the 16 abstentions, is creating an environment conducive to hate and antisemitism.

“The leadership abstentions were even more cowardly — Clayton Anderson [sic], Jonah Garson, Kimberly Hardy, Elijah King.” Abrams said, ”They knew the Jewish Caucus met the requirements; their abstentions sent a clear signal to the Executive Committee – it’s okay to reject the Jewish Caucus. Hate, antisemitism, flourish in an environment when those who should know better stay silent.” 

NC Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton leads a press conference at state headquarters calling for Rep. Tricia Cotham to resign. April 2023

Questions about the voting process and integrity are also being raised. “We are exploring various improprieties that occurred during the meeting — potential ineligible voters, false statements, misinformation, and outright lies, none of which were challenged by Ms. Anderson [sic] as chair.” said Abrams. 

A call to suspend any sort of interactions with the NCDP including supporting them monetary or via volunteering was also recommended. 

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