The New Politics of Anti-Semitism
It’s no surprise that virtually all of our voters say they are concerned about anti-Semitism and its effect on their families and communities.
Our Voters Voice Solid Support for Biden, but Disappointment that Race Is Now Between ‘Two Old White Guys’
With Super Tuesday behind us and the field now narrowed to former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders, we asked participants in the Jewish Political Voices Project who they now support for the Democratic nomination and their thoughts on the race thus far.
Stuart Baum (MI): ‘I Don’t Believe the Activism and Policy Solutions on the Left are Anti-Semitic’
Stuart Baum (22), a Democrat from Detroit, MI, attended Jewish day school growing up and is a recent graduate of Wayne State University where he served...
Bud Hockenberg (IA): ‘Jewish Leadership Is Slow in Recognizing the “Squad” Problem’
“Here are Trump’s major assets: the safety and security of America—part of that is his cancellation of the Iran deal; the United States’ recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moving our embassy there; the assets of our economy—this is one of the best economies we’ve had probably in the past 50 years; and the internal security of America—the southern border is the best we’ve had.”
Daniel Levin (FL): ‘Trump Has Made Hatred More Fashionable’
“I think the biggest danger from Trump is that he has made hatred fashionable because he practices it himself from his office. The rhetoric he employs about refugees, about Muslims, about the press has given license to people who have anti-Semitic tendencies and has sent a message that their intolerance and hatred are okay.”
Glenn Hamer (AZ): ‘If You’re Jewish, You Need to Be More Vigilant’
“I probably have a stronger level of support for Trump now, at least if Bernie Sanders continues to rise. If Bernie gets the nomination, voting for Trump would be the easiest decision I ever make in my life.”
Eliot Strickon (WI): ‘Anti-Semitism Has Had a Very Real Effect on Our Behavior’
“I think anti-Semitism goes back to Esau and Jacob. As for the last few years, this started happening as soon as Trump was nominated. Certainly, by the time he was sworn in, there was this dramatic rise in anti-Semitism.”
Beth Bendheim (VA): ‘I’m More Scared Now’
“I think people feel that they’re allowed to say things now that they wouldn’t have said before because of the president’s rhetoric. He’s just so mean and they think they can act the same way. They probably already had hate in their hearts and now they feel more emboldened to act on it.”
Mark Goldhaber (NC): ‘Ignorance and Fear Drive the More Traditional Hatred’
“As the son of a Holocaust survivor, I’m really concerned about the many incidents in New York and overseas as well, such as with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in England.”
Nancy Santanello (PA): ‘It’s Not Anti-Semitic to Question Israel Policy’
“We have someone in the White House who believes right-wing conspiracies and tweets anti-Semitic tropes. A conservative website, TruNews, whose founder called Trump’s impeachment a ‘Jew coup’ orchestrated by a ‘Jewish Cabal,’ was credentialed by the Trump administration to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos. They were treated like a legitimate news site, but this is hate speech and should be condemned and not legitimized by the president.”
Lavea Brachman (OH): ‘White Nationalists See Trump as One of Them’
“Trump has absolutely been a source for provoking all kinds of intolerance. Everything he does is rooted in promoting divisiveness. Trump’s white nationalist allies see him as one of them, which validates and legitimizes their ugly anti-Semitic, racist views. BDS and much of the left rhetoric is really more about Israel than it is about Jews. But it gets interpreted by many as anti-Semitism. I do not like “the squad.” I don’t like their views. But none of them is president of the United States.”
Sandra Lawson (NC): ‘I Often Face More Anti-Semitism from the Jewish Community’
“Anti-Semitism is not a right or a left issue, and neither is racism. Most of the violence against Jews is coming from people who have heard rhetoric on the right. But that doesn’t mean that there’s no anti-Semitism on the left.”