Anti-Semitism in the current race for president (THIS IS THE JEWISH GROUP!)

[Behind the Aegis]

I don't know who has seen what, so I thought I would open a discussion about anti-Semitism in this current presidential election cycle. More than a few of us started to pick up on Trump's "issues" with Jews several months ago. A few were willing to dismiss the "charge" of anti-Semitism because he has a Jewish son-in-law and his daughter converted. Personally, I don't accept that as rational reason as to why someone isn't an anti-Semite; to me, it falls into the "some of my best friends are..." category. Then came the anti-Clinton ad with the red star of David on a field of money, and some saw the anti-Semitism in that ad, but others still continued to dismiss it. This is when I personally decided, "yes, Trump is anti-Semitic." Others may still disagree, but one cannot dismiss the anti-Semitism lurking I the campaign and the fact it is largely ignored, often getting nothing more than a passing mention. And, just a few days ago, we have Trump Jr. spewing rhetoric inspired by Nazi (not the "neo-" kind, the old school kind) rhetoric once used against Jews in comparing Syrian refugees to Skittles.

News came out recently that Clinton had pulled ahead from Trump, by large margins, in the Jewish community in Florida. Not really all that surprising to me, but apparently a real "shocker" for some who don't know shit about Jews. Now, there is the news about the paltry donations from Jews to the republican party and the overwhelming contributions to the Clinton campaign.

But, I am writing this because I wanted to highlight another of Trump's 'supporters' and that is Louis Farrakhan, who recently :

...attacked President Obama in a sermon at the Union Temple Baptist Church in Washington D.C. Sunday, criticizing him for putting the interests of Israel and LGBT Americans over African Americans.

That article is being "discussed" here.

What I found in reading that article was another article, in which Farrakhan, praises Donald Trump for standing up to the Jews. You remember hearing that news? I sure don't. Anyway, in that article he opines:

According to the Anti-Defamation League, Farrakhan told parishioners of Chicago’s Mosque Maryam Sunday that Trump “is the only mem­ber who has stood in front of Jew­ish community, and said I don’t want your money.”

“Any time a man can say to those who con­trol the pol­i­tics of Amer­ica, ‘I don’t want your money,’ that means you can’t con­trol me,” he continued. “And they can­not afford to give up con­trol of the pres­i­dents of the United States.’”

Of course the article ends with the interesting observation of Farrakhan's "praise" coming after the endorsement of Trump by white supremacist, David Duke (also a notorious Jew-hater).

So, what have you all seen? What are your impressions? Think there is more to come?

[EllieBC]

1. Oh there is more to come.

As for Trump? At the end of the day I do think he's a classic old school antisemite. We are useful people to him occasionally. But overall he doesn't have much love for us. I do remember something about him saying to the republican Jewish coalition that he didn't need their donations. And his little bit about "I'm a negotiatior too" which was a way of repeating the tired old thing about us being hagglers.

And his daughter converting won't make him less of an antisemite. There are many giyorim who are essentially disowned by their families after they convert.

The tweet about Clinton with the Magen David has been one of the biggest things for me regarding his antisemitism.

And it wasn't shocking to me that some Jews are republicans or are planning on not voting for Trump even if they are Republicans. Most of the orthodox I know are but are thinking of sitting out the election or voting for Clinton. So Jews in Florida jumping to Clinton isn't shocking to me. For the MO (modern orthodox) I know, the choice to go D or R has gradually shifted to the right as the anti-Israel rhetoric has ramped up on the left. For the chassidishe friends and extended family I have, they usually vote R, not because of Israel but because of they are overall fairly conservative people. I like to point out that places like Kyrias Joel are screwed if the GOP had their way as they would slash the hell even more out of various government programs like SNAP.

As for Farrakhan? I think his recent love of Trump is nothing more than a, "Hey! I'm still here! TALK ABOUT MEEEEE!!!!" move. And because he hates Jews.

And I still maintain the far left only tolerated Sanders being Jewish only because he was an acceptable Jew. Not even remotely religious and not an out and proud Zionist. I think if he were either a religious Jew or a Zionist he would not have had the approval of many.

Basically...I think there's plenty of hate for us on all sides. We are historically the one group it's always ok to hate and that will always be hated. The reason why differs for liberals from conservatives but it's still antisemitism. And there will be plenty more to come. There always is.

I don't count our allies as many. It depends on what side needs us more for their cause du jour. Then they come around and suddenly have buckets of love for us.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. I am glad someone responded!

Thanks.

I agree there is more to come. I just saw a very disturbing video from "Occupy Democrats" on Facebook, and the amount of anti-Semitism, especially the "classic" version, was sickening. Personally, I think there are a few Jews who aren't paying attention to the discrimination and bigotry against us, but are focused on the bigotry directed at others. t is almost as if they think standing up and speaking out against anti-Semitism is not appropriate, unless it is so "in your face" even non-Jews take notice. I find that very disappointing.

I am with you in your rationale for the "love" many had for Bernie. Had he actually come out and said he was a Zionist, which by all accounts he is, then many of them would have dropped him like a hot potato. In their eyes, he was a "good" Jew. Sadly, I feel many also adopt a similar stance. I was also angered by the anti-Semitism I saw coming from "our" side and denying it. Seems the only time something is "anti-Semitic" is when a bunch of 'special people', usually non-Jews, come to a consensus and decides it is so or if the right/conservative side does it.

I also agree with your comments about our lack of real allies and the need to hate us/love us, when it is convenient or serves a purpose.

Sometimes, I really do fear our future many look disturbingly like our past.

[EllieBC]

3. We need to be having more of these conversations!

The Orthodox are very aware of antisemitism that leaks from both sides of the political spectrum. Their view tends to be that we are in galus, therefore this is to be expected. Secular Jews are not as aware or are embarrassed (IMO) to admit that there is still so much antisemitism. They want to believe their friends who are allegedly liberal would not for a minute espouse any antisemitic beliefs.

And then if they call them out it is often minimized or just straight up ignored.

I don't think the past is coming back. I think it never left but we instead busied ourselves with other causes and just sort of ignored it. We hoped it would change. How could it not change? Society has become so much more accepting and enlightened....how could we not benefit from the newfound tolerance? Well. We didn't.