Perhaps lost in the thunderous racism of Trump’s tweets and the responses of various Republicans, was their invocation of Israel. Trump claimed Democratic politicians “have made Israel feel abandoned by the U.S.” and Lindsey Graham joined his voice to the chorus, claiming the four Congresswomen were "anti-America" and "anti-Semitic." As did Montana Senator Steve Daines, who was quickly schooled by a Michigan state senator.
Major organizations focused on Jewish affairs weren’t having any of it either
Executive Director of Jewish Democratic Council of America Halie Soifer also reacted to Trump’s statements saying they represented “a transparent attempt to use Israel as a diversion, which we strongly reject.” […]
The American Jewish Committee too expressed its opposition to the president’s remarks on Twitter. “Our nation was built by people who hailed from every corner of the globe and we are enriched by our diversity to this day,” the group wrote. “Surely we can have policy debates in this country without resorting to potshots at our opponents’ identities or origins.” [...]
The organization J Street added it is “appalled” by what they called the “ongoing torrent of racist incitement that President Trump continues to direct against progressive women of color in Congress.” — www.haaretz.com/...
The ADL (Anti-Defamation League) today condemned President Trump’s racist tweets about four U.S. congresswomen, in which he said they should “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came,” and his defense of these remarks by saying the congresswomen hate Israel and are anti-Semitic.
“As Jews, we are all too familiar with this kind of divisive prejudice,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director. “While ADL has publicly disagreed with these congresswomen on some issues, the president is echoing the racist talking points of white nationalists and cynically using the Jewish people and the state of Israel as a shield to double down on his remarks. Politicizing the widespread, bipartisan support for Israel and throwing around accusations of anti-Semitism is damaging to the security of Israel and the Jewish community. He should lead by example, stop politicizing these issues and stop smearing members of Congress.” — www.adl.org/...
Halie Soifer who is Executive Director of the Jewish Democratic Council of America wrote an Op-Ed in CNN:
And despite his feigning concern about anti-Semitism, nearly three-quarters of Jews feel less secure than they did two years ago and the majority of Jews attribute their rising insecurity to Trump's policies. More specifically, many are concerned about Trump encouraging right-wing extremism and Republicans tolerating white nationalism within their ranks. In fact, according to a March Gallup poll, more than 70% of Jews continue to disapprove of Trump and only 16% now identify as Republicans.
Ironically, on Monday -- the very day the Trump administration is hosting a summit focused on the rise of anti-Semitism -- the President has clearly failed to recognize that bias against one racial or religious group can lead to bias against others. The Summit on Combatting Anti-Semitism held Monday at the Department of Justice should have focused on how the President's own words and policies have contributed to the near historic levels of anti-Semitic incidents in the United States. Jewish voters know this, which is why nearly 60% of them find President Trump at least partially to blame for the recent synagogue shootings perpetrated by white supremacists in Pittsburgh and Poway. — www.cnn.com/...
— @subirgrewal