Bad for America, bad for the Jews

We’re calling it like we see it, and this week was bad for America and bad for the Jews. We mourn for the senseless loss of four lives in Jersey City in yet another violent act of anti-Semitism. Our prayers are with the families of the four tragically lost, and we call on all government officials to do more to combat the unacceptable scourge of anti-Semitism.

Anti-Semitism has no place in our communities, and we will continue to fight it in all of its forms. It’s rising on college campuses and elsewhere, and clearly evident in the words that come out of the president’s mouth. Just days ago, President Trump invoked negative stereotypes about Jews, calling us all money-hungry “killers.” In fact, Donald Trump’s own words would be considered anti-Semitic according to the executive order he signed this week, underscoring his blatant and stunning hypocrisy on this issue.

We support credible efforts to combat anti-Semitism, including on college campuses, and we strongly oppose the global BDS movement. We also recognize that criticism of Israel can be rooted in and motivated by anti-Semitism. But – let’s face it – Donald Trump has no credibility to combat anti-Semitism in America when he is fueling it.

In fact, President Trump chose to sign this executive order at the White House Hanukkah party, to which he invited an anti-Semitic preacher who had previously said all Jews are going to hell. How’s that for a Happy Hanukkah?! This week proved that Trump is more interested in symbolic gestures that use Jews as political pawns than actually doing something meaningful to combat anti-Semitism and ensure our security.

JDCA is the leading voice of Jewish Democrats, and this is what we’re saying about events of the past week, as featured in the past few days in the New York Times, Washington Post, Associated Press and hundreds of media hits throughout the country — “It’s not up to Donald Trump to define, stereotype, or use Jews for his own political advantage, and we reject his attempts to do so.” Again, we’re calling it like we see it, and Donald Trump is bad for America and bad for the Jews.

If President Trump truly wanted to address the scourge of anti-Semitism he helped to create, he would accept responsibility for his role emboldening white nationalism, perpetuating anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, and repeating negative stereotypes that have directly led to violence targeting Jews. If you have not already seen it, please check out JDCA’s timeline tracking the rise of anti-Semitism under Trump by clicking here or on the image above.

The danger of Donald Trump has impacted far more than our community – he’s eroded America’s democratic institutions and the strength of our democracy. He’s attacked and conspired against political opponents, and encouraged foreign interference in our elections. He’s espoused rhetoric and enacted policies that betray our values. Trump is bad for America.

As revealed in recent weeks in the course of impeachment hearings in the House of Representatives, President Trump has violated his oath of office and demonstrated a flagrant disregard for the rule of law. He has acted with impunity to further his own political and personal interests, as opposed to the best interests of our country, and he must be held accountable. No one is above the law, including the President of the United States.

As the full House votes next week on the impeachment of President Trump, we don’t know what will come next in the Senate, but this we do know: JDCA will do all we can to preserve the Democratic House majority and elect a Democratic president and a Democratic Senate. We have seen just how much elections matter, are committed to bringing about political change in 2020 consistent with our values.

And we know this: We will succeed with your help, and we cannot afford to fail. Stand proudly with Jewish Dems and help us win in 2020.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ron Klein,
Chair, Jewish Democratic Council of America

Halie Soifer
Executive Director, Jewish Democratic Council of America