|
By ZOA National President Morton A. Klein
(NOVEMBER 2, 2022 / NEWSWEEK) In recent weeks, we've seen Jew-hatred promoted by rapper and designer Ye (formerly known as Kanye West), basketball player Kyrie Irving, and the legion of ignorant haters inspired by their bigotry. On a per capita basis, Jews are the victims of more hate crimes in America than any other group; over 10 times as many as Asians or Latinos, more than twice as many as Muslims or African Americans, and 50% more than episodes of violence pertaining to sexual orientation or gender identity.
We Jews are attacked in the streets, in synagogues, and on college campuses. Real Jew-hatred is a serious problem, which makes it even more disturbing when accusations of antisemitism are leveled for political reasons, as happens too often against former President Donald Trump.
Last month, President Trump posted on Truth Social, "No President has done more for Israel than I have. Somewhat surprisingly, however, our wonderful Evangelicals are far more appreciative of this than the people of the Jewish faith, especially those living in the U.S. Those living in Israel, though, are a different story - Highest approval rating in the World, could easily be P.M.! U.S. Jews have to get their act together and appreciate what they have in Israel - Before it is too late!"
This entirely accurate statement was described as "antisemitic" and "insulting" by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. But then, Jean-Pierre has been known to smear Jews and supporters of Israel. In 2019, she wrote that "Israel may have committed war crimes," and that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee uses "severely racist, Islamophobic rhetoric."
She previously worked for Moveon.org, an organization that supports vicious Jew-haters Linda Sarsour, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar, as well as the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel. So forgive me if I don't take her opinions on antisemitism seriously.
Sadly, many American Jews don't appreciate how important Israel is, both for their own safety and for the Jewish people. President Trump is, in fact, so popular in Israel that, were he eligible to run, he would likely be elected prime minister. Indeed, Israel named a new town after the 45th president, "Trump Heights."
| 
