New York Jewish Week via JTA — As they celebrated a series of resounding victories for their congressional and state legislative candidates in primaries across New York City on Tuesday night, attendees at democratic socialist Claire Valdez’s victory party turned their attention at one point to ousting US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, chanting, “You’re next!” when his face appeared on TV screens.

Some local Jewish leaders are starting to push back. They have jumped to the defense of Jeffries, a moderate pro-Israel stalwart who represents the 8th Congressional District in Brooklyn.

“Just hours after the election, they’re publicly threatening the highest ranking black Democratic official in America,” David Greenfield, CEO of the Met Council, a Jewish charity in New York, wrote on social media on Wednesday.

Responding to the “You’re next!” chants, Greenfield warned that the “next DSA move is not to make peace, but rather go to war with liberal Dems.”

Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council, praised Jeffries on social media on Wednesday, defending him as “a dedicated public servant defined by honesty, hard work, honor and an unwavering commitment to delivering for the people he represents.”

Treyger predicted Jeffries would outlast the wave of left-wing insurgents. “Political winds come and go. Character endures,” he wrote.

But the winds right now seem to be at the backs of the Democratic Socialists of America, the left-wing political organization that promotes taxing the wealthy, expanding publicly funded social benefits and has placed increasing emphasis on pro-Palestinian advocacy and anti-Zionism. Nine of 10 candidates backed by New York City’s DSA chapter won their primaries Tuesday night.

Of all the DSA’s triumphal moments, however, the most widely circulated clip from the party was not a speech, nor one of many moments of celebration, but the call to oust Jeffries.

“You’re next! You’re next!” attendees chanted after Jeffries appeared on TVs at the 99 Scott Studio event space, where chants of “DSA!” and “Free Palestine!” also broke out.

“Hakeem Jeffries is not going to sleep well tonight,” wrote DSA member Asad Dandia, Brooklyn’s borough historian, who was appointed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “Good. We’re coming.”

The bull’s eye on Jeffries’ back exemplifies how the series of resounding victories is keeping the DSA’s foot on the gas pedal, raising alarms for many in the Jewish community concerned by their stridently anti-Israel messaging and their desire to take aim at establishment pro-Israel heavyweights.

There are two ways that Jeffries could theoretically be ousted as the Democrats’ leader in Congress: Either House Democrats select another leader in a caucus vote, or 8th district constituents vote in a primary challenger in 2028. (Jeffries ran unopposed this election cycle.)

Chris Coffey, a Democratic strategist, said in an interview that Jeffries is “probably safe leadership-wise, especially if Democrats win the House” in November.........

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