https://qz.com/1744066/donald-trump-ilhan-omar-and-the-history-of-american-antisemitism/amp/
Senators Jacky Rosen and James Lankford, who describe themselves as “a practicing Jewish Democrat from Nevada and a devoted Christian Republican from Oklahoma,” are spearheading a new effort to fight an old problem: antisemitism in America.
The Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism, wrote the senators in an opinion column for CNN, will “collaborate with law enforcement, federal agencies, state and local government, educators, advocates, clergy, and other stakeholders to combat antisemitism by educating and empowering our communities.”
They’ve got a big job ahead of them.
Ancient roots
In early September, Trenton’s City Council President Kathy McBride uttered the phrase “Jew her down” in a public discussion. McBride said she was sorry 12 days later. The Associated Press ran the headline: “Politician apologizes for use of anti-Semitic trope.”
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar responded to GOP threats to censure her for denouncing Israel, “It’s all about the Benjamins baby.” She was referring to the dollars AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, purportedly throws at legislators standing up for Israel. Omar later apologized.
President Trump tells American Jews: “If you vote for a Democrat, you’re being very disloyal to Jewish people and you’re being very disloyal to Israel.”
Likely none of these politicians grasped in the moment the antisemitism underlying their remarks. This was not the first time on American soil that Jews were charged with financial cunning, government manipulation, and questionable loyalty.
These canards, rooted in ancient and medieval anti-Judaism, have a long history in America.
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I hope you enjoyed reading this quartz piece.
It is interesting to me how most liberals think Trump dog whistles neo nzis, but Omar doesn’t dog whistle Islamists. Conversely, most conservatives agree Omar is dog whistling Islamists, but trump isn’t dog whistling nzis
Will you agree anti-semitism exists on both sides of the aisle?
GayJew
Article URL : https://qz.com/1744066/donald-trump-ilhan-omar-and-the-history-of-american-antisemitism/amp/