For Immediate Release
October 14, 2016
Contact: Max Rosenblum, news@rac.org, 202-387-2800
WASHINGTON — On Friday, October 14th, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism Director Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner released the following statement:
We condemn, in the clearest and most forceful terms possible, Donald Trump’s remarks evoking classically anti-Semitic stereotypes.
In a Thursday, October 13 speech, Mr. Trump made repeated references to a “global” power structure, including references to international banks plotting “the destruction of U.S. sovereignty in order to enrich” themselves, telling his audience that “this is a conspiracy against you” and “this is a struggle for the survival of our nation.” Such imagery has a long and vile history among those who perpetuate anti-Semitic tropes. During the second presidential debate, Mr. Trump appeared to take special pains to mention the names of Jewish acquaintances, colleagues and advisors to Secretary Clinton.
It defies belief to assume that Mr. Trump is unaware of the anti-Semitic associations of the messages he is espousing – nor can he be unaware that such messages are being celebrated by neo-Nazis and alt-right organizations. Mr. Trump must act responsibly by ceasing to disseminate false, historically anti-Semitic associations. He must also unequivocally repudiate the support of anti-Semites who have embraced his candidacy.
The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Washington office of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose nearly 900 congregations across North America encompass 1.5 million Reform Jews, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, whose membership includes more than 2,000 Reform rabbis. Visit www.rac.org for more.
