Jewish Democrats denounce Putin’s anti-Semitic comments

Ron Klein, chair of the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA), issued the following statement in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claims that Jews interfered in the 2016 American presidential election:

“We are outraged by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claim that Jews might have meddled in the 2016 presidential election. Asked about the well-substantiated interference from the Kremlin, Putin said those responsible are “not even Russians. Maybe they’re…Jews, just with Russian citizenship.” His words recall a hateful and dehumanizing anti-Semitism in Russia, Europe, and other countries, which has been used in the past as justification and rationalization of horrific acts committed against the Jewish people.

“Putin, after having intervened in our democratic process, has now added anti-Semitism to his long list of misdeeds, which has included demolishing his country’s democracy, violating the sovereignty of Russia’s neighbors and launching a brutal crackdown against his own LGBTQ citizens. So far, the Trump administration has failed to condemn Putin’s anti-Semitic remarks. We demand that the White House make it clear to Putin and the Russian government that such bigotry is abhorrent to the United States and its government.

“Trump’s blind-spot for anti-Semitism is a recurrent problem, and one that imperils our Jewish community, as it faces the escalation of hate crimes and prejudice. Trump also fails time and time again to call out Putin, who is dangerous for the United States, the Jewish community and the world. Speaking out against one of the worst international actors is the least Trump and his enablers in our community could do. That they remain complicit puts us all at greater risk.”