Jewish Democrats Condemn D.C. Councilman’s Anti-Semitic Comments

The Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) condemns strongly and unequivocally the anti-Semitic remarks of Washington, D.C. Councilman Trayon White. Over the weekend, an online video in which White blamed the Rothschilds for the capital’s weather gained increasing news coverage. He was shown in later reports to have aired similar conspiracy theories about the Rothschilds on previous occasions, including at a February meeting of the D.C. Council.

The Rothschilds, a European banking family, have been the target of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories for centuries. These hateful tropes were taken up into the notorious forgery, “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” as well as Nazi propaganda. White’s comments remind our people of horrific events in our past, and must be fully condemned.

While we appreciate White’s apology today, and his promise to use this episode as occasion to learn about the nature of anti-Semitism, we will not tolerate anti-Semitism in the public square, and especially not when it comes from elected officials. We hope this can be an opportunity for Councilman White, Washingtonians and Americans to gain a deeper understanding of anti-Semitism, and the need to combat it and all forms of bigotry.