Harris Campaign, Jewish Groups Criticize Trump for Blaming Jewish Voters

Vice President Kamala Harris and various Jewish advocacy organizations have condemned former President Donald Trump’s comments regarding Jewish voters, labeling them as “dangerous” and “antisemitic.” Trump suggested that if he loses the presidential election, Jewish voters would be partly to blame for his defeat.

Speaking during an event in Washington, intended to address antisemitism, Trump stated, “I wasn’t treated properly by the voters who happen to be Jewish.” He further commented on the potential impact of Jewish votes, adding that if he does not win, “the Jewish people would really have a lot to do with that if that happens.” He claimed that with about 40% of Jewish voters potentially opposing him, it implies that 60% would support “the enemy.”

The backlash to Trump’s statements was swift and severe. Morgan Finkelstein, a spokesperson for Harris’ campaign, remarked, “Donald Trump is resorting to the oldest antisemitic tropes in the book because he’s weak and can’t stand the fact that the majority of America is going to reject him in November.” She stressed the dangers of such rhetoric, particularly in light of Trump’s recent divisive comments regarding a local community in Springfield, Ohio.

Finkelstein emphasized that Trump’s loss, if it occurs, will be due to a united response from Americans of all backgrounds, rather than being attributed to any particular demographic group.

Doug Emhoff, the second gentleman and husband of Harris, who is Jewish, also weighed in on the issue. He asserted that Jewish Americans would not be intimidated by Trump’s divisive comments, stating, “Last night, Donald Trump once again fanned the flames of antisemitism by trafficking in tropes blaming and scapegoating Jews.” He called for a strong condemnation of these remarks and declared that Jewish people would continue to live openly and without fear.

Various non-partisan Jewish advocacy organizations voiced their strong opposition to Trump’s remarks as well. The American Jewish Committee stated, “Whoever a majority of the Jewish community votes for, Jews – roughly 2 percent of the U.S. population – cannot and should not be blamed for the outcome of the election.” They further cautioned that scapegoating Jews has historically led to antisemitic hate and violence.

The AJC pointed out that Jewish voters are diverse and will support various candidates based on their beliefs and values. They stressed that voting for a particular candidate should not be viewed as “voting for the enemy.”

Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, criticized Trump’s remarks as contradictory to the event’s focus on combating antisemitism. He noted that blaming American Jews for a potential defeat could heighten their sense of exclusion and vulnerability, particularly amid a climate where Jewish communities face increased threats from extremists.

In light of these comments, Amy Spitalnick, leader of the progressive Jewish Council for Public Affairs, encouraged more individuals to speak out against Trump’s statements, which she described as attacks on Jewish safety and not mere partisan politics.

Despite the widespread condemnation, some figures on the political right offered support for Trump. The Republican Jewish Coalition, which has endorsed him, viewed his remarks as an attempt to engage and motivate Jewish voters rather than incite division. Matt Brooks, the coalition’s CEO, claimed that Trump “realizes what’s at stake” for the Jewish community amid rising antisemitism.

Brooks argued that Trump’s comments should not be seen as divisive but rather as an acknowledgment of the close nature of the upcoming election, where every vote could matter significantly. He noted that if Trump fails to secure enough support from Jewish voters in critical states, it could indeed cost him the election.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the implications of Trump’s rhetoric pose critical discussions about faith, identity, and unity within an increasingly polarized society.

Source: ABC News