PITTSBURGH (Diya TV) — Congressional candidate for Pennsylvania’s 12th District seat, Bhavini Patel, an Edgewood Borough Council member, entered the Democratic primary race in October, challenging incumbent Rep. Summer Lee. Patel, a progressive with blue-collar roots, has faced opposition, particularly regarding her support for Israel, from some of Lee’s supporters.
Since Hamas’ attack on Israel in October, Patel has been vocal in her support for the Jewish state, attending local events and releasing statements advocating for Israel and the hostages held in Gaza. However, she has encountered increasing pushback, including the cancellation of her speaking engagement at the University of Pittsburgh’s Frederick Honors College.
This cancellation follows a contentious candidate forum at Carnegie Mellon University, where Patel faced disruptions from a group of Lee’s supporters, making it challenging for her to engage meaningfully with the audience. The experience, which Patel described as “disheartening,” came the day before the event, with Pitt citing concerns about potential disruptions and Patel’s safety. Although Patel, an alumna of the school, had planned to share her personal journey and experiences, the event was called off to maintain focus on her connection to the university rather than her political candidacy.
Patel expressed disappointment at the cancellation, emphasizing her desire to engage with students and share her story. However, she acknowledged the university’s need to adhere to its policies regarding political activities, even as she questioned the decision’s timing and the influence of external pressures.
Furthermore, Patel has faced criticism in the media, particularly regarding her support for Israel and her fundraising efforts. A recent article in the Pittsburgh City Paper drew attention to Patel’s out-of-state donors and her connections to groups with pro-Israel agendas, sparking controversy and accusations of racism and xenophobia.
Despite these challenges, Patel is committed to her campaign and the issues she believes in, including advocating for the Jewish community and promoting diversity and inclusion in politics. She has called for a focus on ideas and substantive debate, expressing concern about the divisive tactics being employed by some of her opponents’ supporters.
As the Democratic primary race heats up, Patel’s experiences highlight the complexities and tensions surrounding issues like Israel and diversity within the party. With the election drawing closer, the spotlight on candidates like Patel and Lee is only expected to intensify, raising questions about the future direction of the party and its approach to contentious issues.
