Former President Donald Trump gave a fiery speech on October 7 at a memorial event commemorating the killing of Israeli civilians by Hamas during its surprise attack that sparked the current war in Gaza.
During the event, held at Trump National Doral in Florida, the former president vowed to “remove the Jew-haters from power” if he wins the upcoming election. He took the opportunity to reiterate his commitment to supporting the Jewish community in the United States.
“I will defend our American Jewish population. “I will protect your communities, your schools, your places of worship and your values,” Trump said. He also promised to take sturdy action against those he viewed as enemies of the Jewish people, declaring: “We will remove the Jew-haters who do nothing to help our country; They just want to destroy our country.”
The former president did not elaborate on who the “Jew-haters” are or how he would eliminate them, but made clear that he believes anti-Semitism is becoming increasingly common in American society.
“Anti-Jewish hatred has returned even here in America, on our streets, in our media and on our college campuses, and especially in the ranks of the Democratic Party, not the Republican Party,” he said.
Trump says he will drive “Jew haters” out of America if elected.
Consequences: @AFpost pic.twitter.com/gxRQ3hHriI
— AF Post (@AFPost) October 8, 2024
Trump’s comments come amid a resurgence of pro-Hamas demonstrations on college campuses and in city streets. Since the war began on October 7, 2023, anti-Israel activists have participated in marches, encampments and other demonstrations with anti-Semitic rhetoric and calls for universities to sever their ties with Israel. Trump described these people as “jihadist sympathizers.”
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During his speech, the former president also signaled that he would strengthen relations between the United States and Israel.
“The bond between the United States and Israel is strong and enduring… when I am president of the United States, it will once again be stronger and closer than ever before,” he said.
Trump’s speech comes at a crucial time as his campaign continues its efforts to reach Jewish voters. While many in the Jewish community support Trump and his efforts to protect Israel, others have criticized him for his comments about Jewish people voting Democratic.
“Every Jewish person who votes for Democrats hates their religion,” he said said In March, he criticized Senator Chuck Schumer (Democrat of New York) for sharply attacking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “They hate everything about Israel and should be ashamed because Israel will be destroyed.”
The war in Gaza continues to raise concerns about the rise of anti-Semitism in the United States and other Western countries. In many cases, pro-Hamas activists have violently attacked Jewish students and other citizens. Trump’s speech comes at a crucial time as his campaign expands its reach to Jewish voters, who could represent a key voting bloc in the upcoming election.
