In the aftermath of Cori Bush’s primary loss last Tuesday, tensions surrounding the St. Louis political landscape have intensified, especially concerning issues of antisemitism.

Last week, the ADL Heartland office reacted on social media to a post by Neveen Ayesh, the government relations coordinator for American Muslims For Palestine – Missouri (AMP Missouri). Ayesh posted an image of Wesley Bell hugging Rabbi Jeffery Abraham of Congregation B’nai Amoona following Bell’s primary victory over Bush, writing, “His ancestors went through all they did to enslave himself back to another group of white men.”

Anti-Israel activists were heavily involved in this election. It makes us wonder about the anti-Israel influence on other campaigns… https://t.co/zDSyR4fDGZ

— ADL Heartland (@ADLHeartland) August 8, 2024

In another post-primary incident, St. Louis Aldermanic President Megan Green drew sharp criticism after endorsing a conspiracy theory on social media suggesting the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) was behind the firing of journalists at the Riverfront Times to silence pro-Palestinian voices.

The tweet, now deleted, was denounced by various Jewish leaders, including the Jewish Community Relations Council, which expressed their concerns in a formal letter to Green, condemning the perpetuation of harmful antisemitic tropes.

Just after Tuesday’s primary vote, The American Jewish Committee responded to the anti-Jewish posts and speeches with its own tweet.

Missouri voters have spoken: Congresswoman Bush’s refusal to acknowledge Hamas’ brutality and terror and nods to antisemitic tropes have no place in responsible American political discourse.

We call on elected officials and candidates in both parties to strongly denounce such… pic.twitter.com/A3LellLGK9

— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) August 7, 2024

“AJC is a fiercely non-partisan organization and as such we don’t endorse any candidates. Having said that, we combat antisemitism in all its forms, and we will call it whenever we see it.” That is what our tweet is about, it’s a call to candidates of all stripes,” said Nancy Lisker, Regional Director-St. Louis, American Jewish Committee (AJC).