The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia blasted Rep.-elect Chris Rabb (D-PA) in a statement to Jewish Insider on Tuesday for his continued silence about the antisemitic bicycle rally that targeted Jewish- and Israeli-owned businesses in the heart of Philadelphia last weekend.

The federation said it is “deeply troubled” by Rabb’s continued silence when officials up and down the state had spoken out against the antisemitic nature of the event. “His silence is therefore not simply a missed opportunity to comment on a troubling incident. It raises a fundamental question about how he intends to represent and stand up for all of his constituents, including Philadelphia’s Jewish community,” the federation said.

The group said that Rabb must make clear that he “understands [the] responsibility” of elected leaders to represent all of his constituents, even those who disagree with him.

The group also highlighted the Philadelphia Democratic Socialists of America’s statement condemning those who criticized the rally and suggesting that the condemnations were part of a manufactured controversy organized by Zionist lobbying groups. The DSA chapter endorsed and campaigned strongly for Rabb, and he is a DSA member.

“Against this backdrop, Rabb’s silence is particularly difficult to understand. He has made his opposition to Israel, AIPAC, and Zionism prominent features of his political identity and congressional campaign,” the statement continues. “He is entitled to his political positions. But those positions cannot become an excuse for failing to recognize or condemn antisemitism when it occurs in the very district he has been elected to represent.”

The federation said it was not implying that Rabb’s silence alone indicated that he supported the rally or the DSA statement, but said that his constituents “deserve clarity” on whether agrees with the DSA.

“Jewish Philadelphians should not have to wonder whether their incoming congressional representative will stand with them when they are targeted because they are Jewish,” the federation said. “They should not have to question whether their concerns will be dismissed as politically manufactured or whether their safety and dignity will take a back seat to political alliances.”

The statement urged Rabb to answer whether he condemns the antisemitic rally and why he has not addressed it publicly; whether he agrees with the Philadelphia DSA; how he distinguishes his “outspoken opposition to Israel, AIPAC, and Zionism … from the targeting and intimidation of Jewish-owned businesses”; what his message is to the business owners targeted; and “[w]hat assurance can he offer Jewish constituents that he will represent, protect, and defend their interests, including when doing so puts him at odds with political organizations that supported his campaign?”

The group highlighted the contrast between Rabb’s silence and left-wing District Attorney Larry Krasner, who spoke out and attended a solidarity luncheon with targeted businesses.

The Anti-Defamation League’s Philadelphia chapter also criticized Rabb in a statement issued on Tuesday morning.

The ADL said that the widespread condemnation of the event “makes it even more troubling that leaders like incoming Rep. Chris Rabb … who [has] strong ties to the DSA, [is] notably absent from any public condemnations. Representing this city means standing up for Jewish constituents too. We expect an unequivocal response from all local elected leaders to call out discrimination.”