Opinion
We should condemn antisemitism even when it comes from supposed supporters of Israel
Donald Trump's latest rant is blatantly antisemitic
December 21, 2021 11:10
1 min read
Donald Trump's latest rant is blatantly antisemitic
December 21, 2021 11:10All too often antisemitism from the right is dismissed, because the perpetrator is a Zionist.
This is exactly what happened when the self-proclaimed “most pro-Israel US president”, Donald Trump, went on an antisemitic rant. In an interview earlier with Israeli journalist Barak Ravid, Trump claimed that the New York Times “hates Israel” even though “the Jewish people” run it. He claimed that Israel had “absolute power over Congress” and that “the Jewish people in the United States (...) don’t like Israel”.
His racist rant – accusing Jews and the Jewish state of undue power and influence - should be condemned. Zionism should not be used as a smokescreen or an excuse.
Everyone should be held to the same standards when it comes to anti-Jewish hatred: pro-Israel positions should not exempt people from being held to account for their racism.
Nonetheless, people have been tempted to dismiss or ignore these racist remarks because Trump is a loud and proud Israel supporter.
Since Corbyn became leader of the Labour Party, the British Jewish community have had their ears fine-tuned to hear and spot antisemitism disguised as anti-Israel criticism. Perhaps this is why acknowledging racism from public Zionists is such a challenge. But non-Jewish Zionists do not always care about the community.
In the case of Trump, it is clear he is not a loyal friend of the Jewish community. His support for Netanyahu was a political tool used to bolster his own political capital.
Excusing Zionist antisemites is reckless and, short-sighted. We must be bold enough to call out all antisemitism without bias from anyone and from anywhere, or risk further harm to the Jewish community.