Friends,
There’s nothing more exhausting and infuriating than listening to Donald Trump.
But though it’s tempting to tune him out, we can’t afford to ignore his latest deeply dangerous comments about Jewish Americans.
In an ominous social media rant last weekend, Trump chastised Jewish Americans for failing to show sufficient gratitude for his supposed contributions to Israel. Not for the first time, he echoed the antisemitic trope that Jews in the diaspora should be expected to be loyal first and foremost to Israel, ahead of their own communities, countries and values.
Worse, he threw out an implicit threat: “Jews have to get their act together and appreciate what they have in Israel -- before it is too late!”
This comes from a man who twice accused American Jews of “great disloyalty” to Israel for failing to support him. But the fact that the effective leader of the Republican Party would speak about Jews in this way is still deeply shocking. Especially because Trump and his allies continue to amplify the white nationalist rhetoric and conspiracy theories behind multiple deadly attacks against Jewish communities and other minorities across the country.
At J Street, we won’t hesitate or mince words: Donald Trump and his political movement pose a clear and present danger to Jewish Americans and all vulnerable minorities.
Can you make a contribution of $18 or $36 today to help us take on Trump’s MAGA movement and stand up for our community? Every contribution strengthens our movement >>
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What disturbs me the most as I write to you today is how normalized and accepted this has become. No leaders in the Republican Party -- or in Trump-aligned Jewish organizations like AIPAC and the Republican Jewish Coalition -- have been willing to call these latest comments out.
As I discussed this week on MSNBC with host Chris Hayes, these groups and politicians are constantly claiming that progressive Democrats who criticize the Israeli government are somehow antisemitic. Yet when confronted with blatant antisemitism from someone as powerful as the former president, they respond with deafening silence.
Friend, our movement is saying ENOUGH.
Enough treating open white nationalism and antisemitism like it's acceptable in American politics. Enough making excuses for Donald Trump, the MAGA movement and the GOP. Enough pretending that it’s acceptable for politicians to spread bigotry and undermine democracy -- as long as they also fit the narrow right-wing definition of “pro-Israel.”
By making a contribution to J Street today, you’ll directly support our work giving voice to the overwhelming majority of Jewish Americans who know there’s NO excuse for Trump’s antisemitism.
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Thank you for all that you do,
Jeremy Ben-Ami
President, J Street
