The Israeli right is always quick to respond when it comes to denouncing antisemitism around the world. One man seems to be escaping their vigilance: Donald Trump.
The former US president has made a habit of making offensive remarks about American Jews, whom he will not forgive for voting overwhelmingly for the Democratic Party. On September 19, speaking at the annual conference of the conservative Israeli-American Council, the former president raised the possibility of his defeat by Kamala Harris in the November 5 election. According to him, "The Jewish people would really have a lot to do with that if that happens, because at 40% [of support for him], that means 60% of the people are voting for the enemy." According to him, his defeat would mean the end of Israel's existence "within two years."
"This is the third time Donald Trump has run for president, so he can't claim the benefit of the doubt," Halie Soifer, president of the progressive Jewish Democratic Council of America, told Le Monde. "He's trafficking in antisemitism. He is antisemitic according to the international definition of the word, by scapegoating all Jews for his eventual defeat, regardless of their political affiliation. It's incredibly dangerous because many right-wing extremists in this country listen to him and are inspired by him."
Contrary to his claims, no opinion poll has ever shown Trump with 40% support among American Jews. The latest Pew Research Center poll, published in early September, gave him 34%, compared with 65% for Kamala Harris, which would already be very surprising. Over the years, among Jewish voters, the share of Democratic voters has remained around 75%. The world of American Jews is extremely diverse in terms of religious and cultural practices, origins and attachment to Israel. According to another Pew Research Center study, published in 2021, they number around 5.8 million adults, or 2.4% of the US voting-age population.
On September 19, Trump also took part in a fundraiser organized by Miriam Adelson, a major Republican donor and widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who tirelessly supports the settlement of the West Bank. The former president repeated a phrase he has often used in recent months: Jewish Democratic voters "should have [their] head examined." In short, not to support Trump, as a Jew, would be a sign of insanity.
The former president is promising to be the community's "defender" and "protector." For years, however, he has contributed to the normalization of crude prejudices against them. This tendency is all the more serious given that this community has been at high risk since the start of the war in Gaza. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), hate crimes against Jews rose sharply by 63% in 2023, to 1,832 recorded cases, which doesn't include verbal incidents.
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