In the thick of contemporary political discourse, Briahna Joy Gray stands out—not for insightful commentary but for promoting divisively anti-Israel rhetoric, which contributes alarmingly to the current wave of Antisemitism. Formerly Bernie Sanders’s press secretary and a host on The Hill’s YouTube show, “Rising,” Gray was recently let go for her unyielding criticism of Israel, which she disturbingly refers to as “the land that is now called Israel” instead of acknowledging its statehood.
Gray’s dismissal follows her pattern of outspoken, controversial takes, particularly on Israel. Her departure echoed that of Katie Halper, another former “Rising” co-host dismissed after labeling Israel an “apartheid state” on air—a segment that The Hill chose not to broadcast. Gray’s termination seemed imminent after a contentious interview where she displayed open disdain towards the sister of an Israeli Hamas hostage.
Gray’s perspective aligns with a disturbing narrative that seeks to villainize Israel at every turn. For instance, when discussing the tragic events of October 7, where Hamas committed heinous acts against Israelis, Gray was quick to shift the focus, accusing Israel of using “lies about rape” to gain moral high ground—an assertion that flies in the face of multiple credible reports confirming the brutal reality of those attacks.
Briahna Joy Gray’s rhetoric, particularly during a time when Antisemitism needs to be unequivocally condemned, underscores a deeper problem within leftist circles—a predilection for ideological purity over productive dialogue. The left needs to halt its disturbing trend of sympathizing with terrorists under the guise of political discourse. They often proclaim “believe the victims,” yet when those victims are Israelis, the narrative suddenly shifts to doubt and blame. This hypocrisy is glaring, and figures like Gray exemplify it. Her actions and words contribute to a toxic discourse that doesn’t just undermine the legitimacy of Israeli suffering but emboldens Antisemitic sentiments under the false flag of social justice. This practice of selective victim support is not only misleading but dangerous.
