Is there some secret, ingenious strategy involved in Donald Trump’s odd insistence on attacking Jews who vote for Democrats as “hating Israel” and “hating their religion”?
Given the fact that the most recent exit polls indicate that Democrats regularly draw the support of 70% or more of the Jewish community, isn’t it obvious that such remarks will estrange more Jewish voters than they could possibly attract?
What’s more, Trump’s comments amount to gratuitous insults toward the fond memories of grandparents, Bubbas and Zaydas, and other elders who are traditionally revered in American Jewish households. His declaration on a recent radio interview leaves little room for equivocation or explanation. “Any Jewish person that votes for Democrats hates their religion,” the would-be president proclaimed. “They hate everything about Israel and they should be ashamed of themselves because Israel will be destroyed.”
When I heard this appalling accusation against all those children of Abraham who dared to spurn the GOP, I didn’t feel personally offended because I’ve been a committed Republican for more than 40 years. But I did feel indignant and disgusted when thinking of my grandparents, all four of whom arrived in this country before the Holocaust and who, like most other immigrants of their time and place (Philadelphia), became devoted Democrats after they earned American citizenship. My grandmother, in her cramped row house in South Philadelphia, displayed a framed portrait of FDR near the front door; I found it compelling and impressive long before I had any real conception of who the man was.
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