During a recent episode of CNN’s Real Time, comedian Bill Maher criticized what he described as a double standard within the Democratic Party on matters of faith. Maher quipped that a candidate’s public religion is acceptable “as long as that faith isn’t Jewish,” a comment that prompted a brief exchange with anchor Dana Bash.

Polling shows shifting views on Israel

Pew Research Center data referenced in the segment indicates that about 80% of Democrats and Democratic‑leaning independents now hold an unfavorable view of Israel, up from 53% in 2022. By contrast, 41% of Republicans and Republican‑leaning independents surveyed expressed a negative view of the Jewish state, while 58% held a positive view.

Republican response

Sam Markstein, national political director for the Republican Jewish Coalition, agreed with Maher’s assessment, stating that the Republican Party remains the only party where American Jews can be “proudly Jewish and loudly pro‑Israel.” He cited recent Democratic actions, including former Vice President Kamala Harris’s decision to pass over Josh Shapiro in 2024 and the rise of elected officials he described as “traffic[ing] in antisemitism.”

Markstein added that the Democratic Party is being reshaped by a “radicalized base,” causing many American Jews to feel alienated.

Democratic Party’s stance

The Democratic National Committee did not respond to requests for comment.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.