Several recent comments by former United States President Donald Trump have drawn condemnation for promoting the anti-Semitic trope that American Jews have dual loyalties to the US and to Israel.
By Erin Viner
In an apparent swipe at the US Jewish community for failing to offer perceived sufficient praise of his policies, the former leader warned American Jews “get their act together” before “it is too late!”
Claiming, “No President has done more for Israel than I have,” Trump posted the messages on his Truth Social media platform, adding, it is somewhat surprising that “our wonderful Evangelicals are far more appreciative of this than the people of the Jewish faith, especially those living in the US.”
The Republican leader, who was defeated in the 2020 US national elections by current President Joe Biden, went on to say, “Those living in Israel, though, are a different story – (where I have the) highest approval rating in the world, (I ) could easily be PM (Prime Minister there)!”
“Donald Trump’s comments were anti-Semitic, as you all know, and insulting both to Jews and our Israeli allies,” said White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre.
The use of other anti-Semitic tropes emerged during a recent interview Trump gave to Israeli journalist Barak Ravid on the “Unholy” podcast.
Using an historical anti-Jewish slur and common conspiracy theory, he asserted that Israel once held “absolute power over Congress.”
He went on to stress, “I’ve said this for a long time — the Jewish people in the United States either don’t like Israel or don’t care about Israel.”
The recent remarks are reminiscent of those made by then-President Trump in 2019, when he accused Jewish Democrats of “being very disloyal to Israel.”
The controversy over the former leader’s statements comes just ahead of the 8 November Midterm Elections that will determine control of the US Congress. Republicans are predicted to win a ruling majority of the House of Representatives and possibly in the Senate as well.
Biden and former President Barack Obama are campaigning for candidates in the Democratic political party, while Trump is also stumping for Republican contenders.