Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro Speaks Out on Antisemitism and Political Violence

Shapiro, a rising Democratic star, discusses the threats his family has faced and his party's struggle with antisemitism.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a rising star in the Democratic Party, is opening up about his Jewish faith and the challenges he has faced, including a 2025 attack on his home and ongoing threats motivated by antisemitism. In a candid interview, Shapiro discusses the emotional toll of the attack, the problem of antisemitism in both political parties, and his efforts to combat hatred while navigating policy disagreements within his own party over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Why it matters

As Shapiro marches toward reelection in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania, his willingness to speak openly about his faith and the threats he has faced could bolster his standing within the Democratic Party and position him as a national figure. However, his nuanced views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have also drawn criticism from some in his own party, underscoring the deep divisions within the Democrats on this issue.

The details

In the interview, Shapiro recounts the April 2025 attack on his home, where he and his family were sleeping when the incident occurred. While he was unharmed physically, Shapiro says he still grapples with the emotional scars of the event. He also addresses the problem of antisemitism within both the Democratic and Republican parties, calling for leaders in both parties to condemn it. Shapiro defends his position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying he is focused on what is in the best interest of the United States and promoting stability in the region.

  • On April 13, 2025, Shapiro's home was attacked while he and his family were sleeping.
  • On Friday, a man was arrested for making terroristic threats and stalking Shapiro and his family in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

The players

Josh Shapiro

The Democratic governor of Pennsylvania and a rising star in the party who is marching toward reelection in a crucial swing state.

Melissa Hortman

A person who was killed in a political attack.

Charlie Kirk

A person who was injured in a political attack.

Gabby Giffords

A person who was injured in a political attack.

Steve Scalise

A person who was injured in a political attack.

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What they’re saying

“I'm one of the fortunate ones in that I wasn't killed the way Melissa Hortman was or Charlie Kirk was. I wasn't injured the way Gabby Giffords or Steve Scalise were physically. But I think we also walk around with the emotional scars of it.”

— Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania

“I think antisemitism is a very real problem in both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. Please don't clip my words there. It is a problem on the political left and the political right, and there should be no place for it when someone like JD Vance allows a Nick Fuentes to have a platform to speak or Tucker Carlson to have a platform to speak, and doesn't condemn it.”

— Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania

“I want to dialogue back with them, and what I say to them is, there's really two conversations here. One on antisemitism and hatred and bigotry, and on that, that's a black and white issue. There's no nuance, and we should all be able to agree on that, that antisemitism is wrong, hatred and bigotry in any form is wrong.”

— Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania

What’s next

The judge in the case of the man arrested for threatening Shapiro and his family will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the suspect out on bail.

The takeaway

Shapiro's willingness to speak openly about the threats he has faced and his efforts to combat antisemitism in both political parties underscores the challenges facing leaders in an increasingly polarized political landscape. As a rising Democratic star, Shapiro's ability to navigate these issues could have significant implications for his political future and the party's efforts to address the growing problem of political violence and extremism.