Chicago — The Anti-Defamation League and a senior official with the Jewish United Fund in Chicago are warning about the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America’s candidate questionnaire for city council races, citing an emphasis on Israel over local concerns, according to reporting by The Center Square.
ADL flags Israel-first questions
ADL Midwest Senior Regional Director Rebecca Weininger told The Center Square that the questionnaire’s first two long-form questions focus on Israel rather than how candidates would help Chicago. “That real estate, those questions are used to ensure that that person meets the litmus test of being against the right of Jews to self-determination in the land of Israel. That doesn’t help anybody’s lives in the Chicago area get better and in fact contributes to rising antisemitism,” Weininger said.
According to The Center Square, the questionnaire asks candidates whether they are anti-Zionist and whether they support municipal-level boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS).
‘Litmus test’ and exclusion claims
Weininger said it is troubling that DSA-endorsed candidates are required to be anti-Zionist, adding, “So we know that within the ranks of the DSA nationally and what has been adopted by the Chicago DSA is that you are excluded if you are a Jew, right? That there is no place either in the DSA or as a candidate endorsed by the DSA if you are Jewish and you believe in Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.” She also said that “everybody who chooses to be identifiably Jewish in this moment in American history is putting themselves at some risk.”
Jewish United Fund: ‘Why is Zionism No. 1?’
Jay Tcath, executive vice president of the Jewish United Fund in Chicago, called the questionnaire troubling. “Why is Zionism the number-one topic on DSA minds? Why is only the Jewish desire for national sovereignty and independence being demonized by DSA?” Tcath told The Center Square. He added that city leaders have pressing local issues: “DSA’s decision to continue to prop up the centrality of Jewish independence in a negative way has nothing to do with the challenges and opportunities confronting our city.”
Chicago DSA response: Anti‑Zionism is core, BDS supported
In a statement provided to The Center Square, the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America said, “Chicago DSA holds anti-Zionism as a core principle of our organizing, as we believe all people are deserving of peace and dignity, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. We are proud to support the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.”
