The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
Mo Goldman
Never Again? Nope, Again…
Since the Holocaust, Jews and their allies around the world, have stated repeatedly, “Never Again.” But it could very well happen again. On Thursday night, ironically at a campaign event that was to denounce anti-Semitism, Donald Trump scapegoated Jewish voters by stating that if he loses in November, “the Jewish people would have a lot to do with the loss.” About Jews voting for Kamala Harris, he said, “It doesn’t make sense. Any Jewish person who votes for her should have their head examined. I find it hard to believe, part of it is a habit, I think.”
In the past year, Jews are seeing an increase in anti-Semitism across the world. This will likely get worse, unfortunately. Before we discuss why this sort of hatred endangers the Jewish community, let’s take a moment and examine Hitler’s strategy to become a political leader.
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“Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes truth”, said Hitler’s propaganda mouthpiece Joseph Goebbels. Trump is taking a page out of Hitler’s playbook.
In the past month, we have witnessed this strategy firsthand. J.D. Vance began spreading unfounded rumors that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating cats and dogs. Trump ran with that racist lie and before we could blink, millions of people were believing this completely debunked storyline. It shocks the conscience how ignorant and bigoted many in our nation can be. In the aftermath of these falsehoods, he made the community of Springfield less safe. Bomb threats were called in, children were unable to attend school, and many feared for their safety. All of this for political power.
Meanwhile, Trump has stated that Jewish Americans who vote for Democrats “hate Israel.” He said that ones that don’t show full-throated support for Israel must “get their act together.” Trump is pitting Jew against Jew. MAGA against Jew. As a person who is proud of my Jewish heritage and appreciation for the opportunities this country has given to my family who came here with nothing, I’m beyond disappointed. I’m disenchanted with my fellow Americans who can support such a vile person. One thing you won’t hear from “the other side” is scapegoating against Jews or anyone who might oppose your beliefs.
The beauty of the United States is that we have freedoms that most countries do not provide to their citizens. We can speak our minds with limited fear of retribution. In Trump, I see the opposite of that. If you criticize him, you are the “enemy.” If you disagree with him, he “hates” you. How can you support this?
Not again. Never again.
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Mo Goldman is the grandchild of Holocaust survivors. He has recently published a book titled “The Last Survivor: Lessons From the Past and the Dying Dream of Freedom”
