WASHINGTON — Days after he declined to denounce anti-Semitism, President Donald Trump finally condemned the reported increase in anti-Semitism in the United States that has been linked to his political rise. But it wasn’t enough. Trump was immediately pressed to speak more forcefully about the issue and to take specific steps to tackle hate crime in…
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Following comments by President Trump regarding a new wave of bomb threats directed toward Jewish centers across the country and the vandalizing of an historic Jewish cemetery in St. Louis, Stosh Cotler, CEO of Bend the Arc Jewish Action, released the following statement:
“President Trump was correct to say that this ongoing antisemitic violence is a ‘reminder of the work that still must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil.’ And he can back up those words by leading by example and cleansing the racism and bigotry that lay at the heart of his administration. He can start by firing Steve Bannon, his chief strategist and a purveyor of white nationalism and antisemitic rhetoric. He can also direct the Department of Justice to aggressively pursue investigations of all federal hate crimes, including the ongoing threats targeting the Muslim and Jewish communities. He can apologize for his use of antisemitic tropes and stereotypes throughout his presidential campaign. He can rescind his policies of religious discrimination and hatred, including ending once and for all his plans for a Muslim ban. And finally, when he is presented with opportunities to condemn antisemitism and white nationalism, he can respond appropriately and respectfully the first time instead of mocking those who dare raise the issue.
“All of these actions would be demonstrations of basic decency and respect by the president. His words today will be utterly meaningless if he fails to take genuine, concrete steps toward addressing the hatred he and his allies have inspired.”