Hasan Piker and Candace Owens Targeted in Bipartisan Resolution on Online Antisemitism

Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) introduced a bipartisan House resolution Wednesday naming Hasan Piker and Candace Owens by name for spreading antisemitism online and calling on social media platforms and elected officials to take stronger action against hate.

The non-binding measure cites a 344 percent rise in antisemitic incidents over the past five years and 893 percent over the past ten, identifying online platforms as a primary driver. It calls on social media companies to enforce their own hate speech policies, urges officials to unequivocally condemn antisemitism from high-profile figures, and reaffirms the United States' commitment to Jewish safety. The measure is expected before the full House in the coming weeks.

The resolution targets both ends of the political spectrum simultaneously. Piker, a far-left Twitch streamer with 11.5 million followers, is cited for declaring on April 14, "Hamas over Israel every single time," and for stating that it does not matter whether rapes occurred on October 7. Owens, a conservative commentator with an estimated 35 million followers, is cited for posting in February 2026 that the United States is controlled by "satanic pedophiles who work for Israel," for promoting the blood libel during a December 2025 podcast appearance, and for dismissing Josef Mengele's documented medical experiments as "bizarre propaganda."

Lawler named both directly. "Piker has openly applauded Hamas' terrorism, downplayed the mass rape of civilians on October 7th, and dehumanized Orthodox Jews as 'inbred,'" he said. "Owens has trafficked in vile conspiracy theories, promoted blood libels, and platformed Holocaust deniers. So if they won't call it out, I will." The ADL has said Piker "has a history of rhetoric that sanitizes violence and denigrates Jewish people." On Owens, the ADL said she actively platforms figures who have praised Hitler and trivialized the Holocaust. Piker has also recently campaigned alongside Democratic Senate candidates and hosted progressive members of Congress on his Twitch stream, even as his rhetoric has drawn condemnation from Jewish groups. 

Piker rejected the resolution in a statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. "They are once again conflating legitimate critics of Israel with actual antisemites," he said. "They would rather complain about fake antisemitism in defense of Israel than call out the real sources of Jew hatred with a full chest. I have spent my entire career combating all forms of bigotry including antisemitism and will continue to do so in spite of this cynical ploy to satisfy donors." Owens did not respond to a request for comment.

Gottheimer framed the move as a matter of principle. "Hatred is hatred, period," he said. "It doesn't matter whether it comes from the far right or the far left. We cannot be selective in calling out antisemitism."

The resolution is expected before the full House in the coming weeks.