US Jews accuse Trump of antisemitism despite his pro-'Israel' stance

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
5 Jun 2025 11:04
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While Trump portrays himself as a staunch ally of "Israel", growing numbers of American Jews accuse him of antisemitism and exploiting them to justify his policies.

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US President Donald Trump gestures after speaking during a summer soiree on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP)

As US President Donald Trump continues to present himself as a staunch ally of "Israel" and a defender of “Jewish rights", an increasing number of American Jewish voices are raising alarm over what they describe as his “anti-Jewish” rhetoric and policies.

Israeli media, including the daily Maariv, have reported on growing dissatisfaction among US Jews, citing commentary from Israeli writer and former Israeli occupation military spokesperson Nachman Shai.

Divisions within US Jewish community

Writing in Maariv, Shai highlighted deep divisions within the American Jewish community over Trump’s policies. He cited a poll conducted by GBAO Strategies revealing that 50% of American Jews view Trump as antisemitic, despite his pro-"Israel" positions.

Shai emphasized that this skepticism is reflected in growing concern across Jewish communities in the United States.

One example is a public letter signed by more than 550 rabbis and cantors accusing Trump of “exploiting Jews to justify his actions, sowing division among Americans, and undermining democracy and communities.”

Surge in antisemitic incidents, online hate

Shai argued that antisemitism has surged to unprecedented levels under both Trump and former President Joe Biden, especially since October 7, 2023, the day marking the beginning of "Israel’s" war on Gaza.

He cited data from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which recorded a 400% increase in antisemitic incidents since that date.

Shai attributed this rise not only to political polarization but also to the failure of major tech companies to curb the spread of hate speech online.

University crackdowns, legal disputes

Trump’s confrontational stance toward American universities also came under scrutiny in Shai’s article. He referenced Trump’s disputes with Columbia and Harvard over pro-Palestine student protests, noting that Trump had succeeded in “imposing his will on Columbia,” while Harvard resisted and is now facing legal proceedings initiated by the US administration.

Comparing Trump and Biden on antisemitism

Shai contrasted the approaches of the Trump and Biden administrations in addressing antisemitism. He acknowledged that Biden had recognized the rise in antisemitic acts and launched a national strategy led by Special Envoy Professor Deborah Lipstadt. This initiative includes public awareness efforts and punitive measures aimed at curbing antisemitic hate.

In contrast, Shai criticized Trump for granting “implicit legitimacy to far-right movements” during his presidency, particularly referencing Trump’s widely condemned response to the Charlottesville rally, where he remarked there were “very fine people on both sides,” despite the involvement of Nazi groups and the Ku Klux Klan.

Shai concluded his piece with a stark warning, “The antisemitic monster has awakened,” calling for a united response to confront what he described as a growing threat to the safety of Jewish communities in the United States.