Chicago mayor accused of 'singling out' Jews, AIPAC at campaign launch

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is facing accusations of antisemitism from the Jewish United Fund (JUF) of Chicago after he mentioned a Jewish donor and AIPAC during his reelection campaign launch. In a letter dated September 17, JUF leaders Lonnie Nasatir and Carey Cooper stated that Johnson used the event to "target a local Jewish business and philanthropic leader and a national advocacy organization with no role in local politics." They emphasized that "Singling out Jewish people or Jewish organizations as symbols of political influence or control carries a dangerous history." The JUF also noted that AIPAC has never spent money opposing local candidates. These comments follow Johnson's August remarks on a podcast, where he claimed "AIPAC and other millionaires" were spending against him for daring to "call out genocide," dismissing antisemitism concerns as "witchcraft." Johnson also linked U.S. aid to Israel with underfunding for Black communities in Chicago. Johnson is seeking a second term amidst low approval ratings.