Donald Trump accused the Democratic Party of hating Israel and suggested that Jewish voters who voted for the Democrats hated their own religion.
In a conversation with conservative radio host Sebastian Gorka on March 18, former US President Donald Trump was asked why Democrats, such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, "hate" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Mr. Schumer recently called for new elections in Israel to find a replacement for Mr. Netanyahu, calling the Israeli Prime Minister one of four "major challenges" to the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine and regional peace .
"I really think they hate Israel. The Democrats hate Israel," Trump replied.
According to the former US president, although he is Jewish, Mr. Schumer has become "anti-Israel" for political reasons, when large protests in support of Palestinians took place across the US amid the war in Gaza.
"Any Jew who votes Democrat hates their religion. They hate everything about Israel and they should be ashamed of themselves because Israel will be destroyed because of it," Mr. Trump said.
Former US President Donald Trump in Ohio on March 16. Photo: AFP
Jewish groups and President Joe Biden's administration immediately criticized Mr. Trump's statement.
“It is defamatory and false to accuse Jews of religious hatred simply because they can vote for a certain party,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, head of the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish advocacy group. “Leaders who care about the US-Israel alliance should focus on strengthening bipartisan support for the State of Israel.”
White House spokesman Andrew Bates noted that anti-Semitic incidents spiked globally after the Israel-Hamas war broke out in October 2023.
"There is no excuse for spreading false, toxic stereotypes that threaten our country. President Biden will never give hate any safe harbor," Bates said.
Senate Democratic leader Schumer called Trump's comments "extremely partisan and hateful." Biden's re-election campaign spokesman James Singer said "the only person who should be ashamed is Donald Trump" for "publicly humiliating Jewish Americans."
Mr. Trump has repeatedly affirmed his strong support for Israel. During his term, Trump recognized the Golan Heights as Israeli sovereignty, moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and his administration signed the Abraham Accords to normalize relations between countries in the Middle East.
However, the former US president also faced backlash for frequently suggesting that Jews who did not support him politically or those who did not support Israel were "disloyal".
Last September, Trump criticized “liberal Jews” for not appreciating his administration’s record on Israel and urged them to “make a better choice.” In October, days after Hamas raided Israeli territory, Trump said “anyone who loves Israel” could not vote for a Democrat.
Huyen Le (According to Hill , Politico , Reuters )
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