Antisemitism from the Right - JD Vance

I have to admit that I didn't see this coming. At least not so soon. Not that long ago the vast majority of the prominent antisemites came from the Left. Groups like Antifa, BLM,the Democratic party in the US and the Liberal, NDP and Green parties in Canada. Every western European country was governed by progressive lefties.

What did they all have in common? They hate Jews. 

But now we have arguably a bigger problem. Especially in the US, where quite a few, prominent Republicans on the Right have come out of the closet as bonafide antisemites. It began a few years ago when then Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene made it crystal clear that she hates Jews but was barely challenged by fellow Republicans. Since then she stands for the Palestinians and many other insane ideas. Thankfully she's finally on the way out.

I say it's a bigger problem because the Right has until recently been our best bet for sane, rational policies including standing up for Israel and against antisemitism. Of course not all Republicans are Jew haters, in fact it's safe to say that most are not. But the pot is simmering. Led by Tucker Carlson who has recently been crowned as the worst antisemite of the year (read this), other prominent people with large followings have also taken up the vile, antisemite routine. Tucker's interviews with hitler admirer Nick Fuentes and other notable Jew haters definitely earned him that top spot. He continues to outdo himself by pushing age old antisemitic tropes  like the Jews control the world and more recent ones like it was Israel who was behind 9/11.  I'm sure that you recall Kanye's (aka Ye) antisemitic rants, one worse than the next a few years ago. Then his pal, Candace Owens who once posed as the intelligent voice of reason on the right but later came out as a bona fide antisemite (and looney tune). Add to this list Megyn Kelly who also jumped on board more recently but as Trump noted years ago 'she's not very smart'. Steve Bannon's anti-Israel's rhetoric on Turning Point USA made me want to vomit. Retired US colonel Macgregor who I once considered a valuable source of reason on the Ukraine/Russia war, also ended up being a Jew hater. 

                                            VP Vance at Turning Point USA

Then there's the US Vice President, JD Vance. There were some troubling aspects vis a vis his accusations against the Netanyahu administration but later on his appearance on Turning Point USA in memorial of the slain Charley Kirk, when a young fan of Tucker asked some pointed questions like 'why are we supporting Israel anyways...' his reply raised some serious questions about him. For a smart guy who's usually quick on his feet and comes prepared to an interview, his answer could have easily deflected the question. He should have said that the US and Israel share the same Judeo-Christian values. (Note that he never uses that term - he only mentions Christian values). We are both democratic states that are fighting the same existential enemies like radical Islamists therefore (unlike Obama) we really do have Israel's back. But instead he fomented an unsolicited, divisive talking point about how Jew's don't believe in Christ and other insane topics. Clearly something was awry. Many of us who were Trump fans, gave him the benefit of the doubt. Then it came out that he hired Tucker's son on his advisory staff. But surely he can't be a bigot if he married and Indian woman, right? Yes he can. Marrying an Indian woman does not disqualify you from being a Jew hater. His constant downplaying antisemitism emanating from the Republican party instead of directly disavowing it says a lot. 

But his latest statement about Tucker Carlson clinched it for me: “Tucker’s a friend of mine. And do I have disagreements with Tucker Carlson? Sure. I have disagreements with most of my friends, especially those who work in politics. 

Anyone who's friend is one of the biggest and most dangerous Jew haters on the planet, is not my friend and shouldn't be yours either.

Tucker helped get JD Vance his job as VP (after Vance called Trump hitler) so Vance is already compromised. 

Unlike him, President Trump has proved his loyalty to the Jews time after time. He is a bona fide philo-semite. It was easy for Trump to attack antisemites on the left. Not that easy to attack antisemites on the right especially his very own appointed vice president. I don't know how or when or even if, president Trump will address the growing split in his party (Jew haters vs Jew supporters) but I truly wish that he would clearly identify where he and his party stands. With Israel and with the Jewish people. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away.

Vance currently stands as the front runner for the Republicans after Trump finishes his term. I sincerely hope that either Vance comes around (but I don't see that happening) or that Trump confronts him directly on this and distances himself from Tucker and others like him. The president needs to endorse people like Rubio, Cruz, De Santis or others, not G-d forbid Vance.