White House mum on if Trump really thinks Dems 'hate' Jews

Repugnant.

Let me guess, he's correct or was misunderstood. How will our Trumpophiles spin this?

Sanders has nothing but contempt for the American people.

Sanders has nothing but contempt for the American people.

I agree. But that's not going to stop him from running for president.

I agree. But that's not going to stop him from running for president.

Seriously, how so?

Bernie Sanders was a draft dodger -- rather than face prison, he ran to Israel when his Conscientious Objector application was rejected. At least Mohammed Ali stood by his principles and went to prison. President Trump is the farthest thing from anti-Semitic or else why would he move the US Embassy to Jerusalem? Obama didn't -- just an uncomfortable fact Trump haters ignore...

Sanders has some nerve. Trump's immigrant-bashing fuels white nationalists' obsession with Jews by blaming George Soros for funding organizations that promote open borders. That's precisely why the Tree of Life shooter killed eleven worshipers.

And it's the Democrats who have an anti-Semitism problem?

Bernie Sanders was a draft dodger -- rather than face prison, he ran to Israel when his Conscientious Objector application was rejected. At least Mohammed Ali stood by his principles and went to prison. President Trump is the farthest thing from anti-Semitic or else why would he move the US Embassy to Jerusalem? Obama didn't -- just an uncomfortable fact Trump haters ignore...

What are you talking about l, Vern?

Trump's association with the anti-Semitic right, Steve Bannon's white nationalism, praising neo-nazis in Charlottesville, his refusal to condemn Steve King. His support from Breitbart... once again, Trump is projecting his own bigotry and failings unto others.

This is a concerted effort to smear those who question the relationship with the racist state of Israel.

The forces of evil have been smearing Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party as anti-semitic for years. I see it's spread to the Democrats now.

It's strange how white supremacists commit mass murder against Jewish people in the US but it's the Democrats who are anti-semitic.

"In fact, according to the ADL, white supremacists are responsible for the majority of such attacks “almost every year.” The 2018 attacks include the one at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue by a man who blamed Jews for the migrant caravan, the mass shooting at a yoga studio by an “incel” obsessed with interracial dating, and the school massacre in Parkland, Florida, carried out by a student who wished that “all the Jews were dead.”

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/01/homegrown-terrorists-2018-were-almost-all-right-wing/581284/

Rep. Ilhan Omar has been caught out more than once with anti-Semitic comments. Trump was right - the fact she wasn't called out is disgraceful.

The forces of evil have been smearing Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party as anti-semitic for years. I see it's spread to the Democrats now.

There's no smearing. It's right there with what these people have said. Actual words - not taken out of context - not made up conspiracies.

It's strange how white supremacists commit mass murder against Jewish people in the US but it's the Democrats who are anti-semitic.

The far left and the far right are a lot more aligned that you might think.

Rep. Ilhan Omar has been caught out more than once with anti-Semitic comments. Trump was right - the fact she wasn't called out is disgraceful.

She has been called out. Repeatedly. The online abuse she's received alone, is the most vile, racist, misogynist trash you could ever read. And then there was Jeanine Pirro's remarks about Omar.

She's also admitted that she's still learning. Which is something I reckons we can all aspire to, admitting that we sometimes have a distance to go before topping up our knowledge and comprehension skills. Perhaps Pirro could do the same about her lack of education. Hell, I'll freely admit to my own Dunning-Kruger moments!

At the end of the day, criticism of Israel and the relationship the US has with it, is not anti-Semitic. Netanyahu is doubling down on his contempt for Israeli arabs, and shown his willingness to downgrade them as human beings. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/11/the-guardian-view-on-the-israeli-elections-netanyahu-debases-his-office-again

Proponents of hasbara will do anything to shut down debate and bury any and all criticism of the regime and yes, smears will be used against those who question unwavering US support for Israel at the expense of Palestine. Not that there aren't anti-Semites in every party, there are. But let's not conflate genuine critical analysis and concern with bigotry.

The UK Labour Party has had problems with anti-Semitism. Call it out and don’t make excuses.

Omar has used classic anti-Semitic dog whistles. Call it out and don’t make excuses.

Trump said there were “good people on both sides” of a march where people were chanting “Jews will not replace us”. Call it out and don’t make excuses.

It’s possible to criticise Israel without being anti-Semitic. There are those who will automatically conflate genuine criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. This is disingenuous and needs to be called out.

Making excuses when your ‘side’ does it and attacking it when the other ‘side’ does it is just childish.

It's probably about time we put articles like this to rest. Everyone knows Trump talks out of every side of his mouth, then walks back, then forward, then walks it back again. Just look at how he handled the wall.

We're past articles talking about his racism, dishonesty, corruption, baseless accusations, etc. We need to start focusing more on his failures as a president. The deplorables do not care if he's a bigot so there is absolutely no payoff of continuing to prove it. They enjoy having a racist president and they enjoy the outrage they see from decent Americans.

Trump will most likely go into the primaries with a slow economy, no deals on North Korea, China, the Middle East, the environment, NAFTA etc. His deficits will be sky high, more of his people will be in jail, and he will still be under investigation himself if he isn't removed by then.

We need to focus on just how useless of a human being he is in the Oval Office.

The UK Labour Party has had problems with anti-Semitism. Call it out and don’t make excuses.

I've said all parties have problems with anti-Semitism.

Omar has used classic anti-Semitic dog whistles. Call it out and don’t make excuses.

I haven't made excuses, Jimizo. Criticising Israel is not a dog whistle. The Benjamin comments and dubious loyalty tropes are not being condoned.

I assume you be calling out Pirro's Islamaphobic comments, also?

Criticising Israel is not a dog whistle

Yes, I fully agree.

The Benjamin and dubious loyalty tropes are not being condoned

Nor should they be. They are anti-Semitic dog whistles.

Pirro’s Islamophobic comments

Islamophobic is a useless and unhelpful word with definitions so broad it can encompass practicing Muslims. Some reformist Muslims dismiss this word.

If you want to talk about anti-Muslim bigotry, I’ll call that out. Pirro’s hijab and divided loyalty comments sounded like anti-Muslim dog whistles to me.

Pirro’s divided loyalty comments reminded me of Omar’s comments.

What plasticmonkey just said.

If that's a "classic anti-Semitic dog whistle", we'd better all shut up and say naught about Israel.

Omar used the classic anti-Semitic tropes about Benjamins and divided loyalties. The divided loyalties idea in particular is something that has been used for centuries to stoke up suspicions about and hatred of Jews.

You can criticise Israel’s land stealing and other offences without resorting to this.

It’s not that difficult.

Omar used the classic anti-Semitic tropes about Benjamins and divided loyalties. The divided loyalties idea in particular is something that has been used for centuries to stoke up suspicions about and hatred of Jews.

You can criticise Israel’s land stealing and other offences without resorting to this.

It’s not that difficult.

First off, as a long-suffering academic, I never thought I'd see the word tropes tossed about so casually. While the smear of divided loyalties has a long history, it also could be credulously laid against anyone taking money from foreign lobbyists whose stated purpose is to influence US policy. If Cuba or Iran or Venezuela or Russia or North Korea were setting up a virtual ATM on K Street in my home town,funneling cash to virtually every member of congress, how do you think people would respond, inside or outside the Beltway?

The Israelis are buying favorable policy, full stop. Do you think Trump would have been less likely to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal had it not been for such influence. Or that we'd have been less likely to have murdered 100s of 1000s of people throughout the Middle East over the past few decades. Or that we'd not be providing the Israelis with weapons and cash that they've used to oppress Palestinians for the past 70 years. 134$ billion in total aid for those counting at home.

Are Americans right to question how all this liquidity affects our horrid foreign policy? It's bad enough that our representatives should be wearing racing jumpsuits with their sponsors clearly identified. The senator from Eli Glakosmithkline would like to respond to the senator from Merck about importing drugs from Canada. If a congressman or senator is cashing foreign checks, regardless of their source, their loyalties are fundamentally divided. The practice should be banned. And Omar represents a burgeoning group of younger progressives less en thrall to old rules about decorum.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders often has the facial expression of a person who has decided to swallow all her moral integrity, but it's giving her indigestion.

The democrats not censuring Omar for her continued anti-Semitic and racist ("It's all about the Benjamin's, baby") tropes infers implied endorsement. They have now exposed themselves to the world what their true opinion is about the U.S. Jewish community.

They have now exposed themselves to the world what their true opinion is about the U.S. Jewish community.

And what does it say about Republicans to allow a self-professed Nazi to run as a Republican? What does it say about the Republican base that 25% of people actually voted for the Nazi.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/07/holocaust-denier-neo-nazi-arthur-jones-chicago-illinois-dan-lipinski/1918933002/

Islamophobic is a useless and unhelpful word with definitions so broad it can encompass practicing Muslims. Some reformist Muslims dismiss this word.

And anti-Semitism, if you follow that logic, is equally useless and unhelpful a definition, seeing how it can encompass those who criticise Israel.

Nah, mate, I'll stick to the term Islamaphobia for the time being. That said, it's refreshing to see the usual suspects aren't around anymore to post hateful and ill-informed comments about Omar. Perhaps they've found another platform to vent...

You can criticise Israel’s land stealing and other offences without resorting to this.

I agree, she handled it badly and has hopefully learned a valuable lesson concerning bigotry.

Islamophobic is a useless and unhelpful word with definitions so broad it can encompass practicing Muslims. Some reformist Muslims dismiss this word.

And anti-Semitism, if you follow that logic, is equally useless and unhelpful a definition, seeing how it can encompass those who criticise Israel.

Not according to its definition:

Hostility to or prejudice against Jews (OED)

Anti-Semitism is hatred or dislike of Jews. A person who dislikes the policies of the Israeli government isn’t being anti-Semitic. We are free to criticise the religion of Judaism or the idea of the fusion of Judaism and politics. Many secular Jews are critical of the ideas of Judaism and would not accept the idea of fusing religion and politics. They are not anti-Semites. Those who conflate criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism are being disingenuous.

Islamophobia is defined as:

Dislike of or prejudice against Islam or Muslims, especially as a political force (OED).

This is something very different. Here is an idea that dislike of or criticism of a religious opinion or being against a fusion of politics and religion can be deemed a phobia. If ‘Islamophobia’ was defined as ‘hostility to or prejudice against Muslims’, I’d accept it as I accept the expression anti-Semite.

Definitions matter and the reasons why I chose the OED definition are that it is the best dictionary of the English language out there, and it is how the word Islamophobic is being used by many people. You can give your own definition if you like, but I’d rather go with the OED.

You can stick with the phrase ‘Islamophobia’, but you’d better tell the reformist Muslims who dislike this word, and see it as a word used to shut down debate, that they are Islamophobic. Muslims who dislike or fear the idea of Islam as political force can also be seen as Islamophobic.

I’m not an anti-Muslim bigot, but I, like most British people including many Muslims, fall into the Islamophobic category. I think you dislike religion and dislike the idea of the fusion of religion and politics.

Welcome to the Islamophobic category.

I’m not an anti-Muslim bigot, but I, like most British people including many Muslims, fall into the Islamophobic category. I think you dislike religion and dislike the idea of the fusion of religion and politics.

I think you're emoting when it comes to this, Jim. I don't know why, but it seems to be quite important that you nail down the specifics. Speaking of which...

Would you say that anti-Semitism can also include bigotry towards Muslims, seeing as some of then are Semitic people, too?

The democrats not censuring Omar 

Umhhhh.... There was a considerable pushback from Democrats. Unfortunately, many of them are also cowed by the Israel lobby and their racist friends in the evangelical Christian community of voters.

And anti-Semitism, if you follow that logic, is equally useless and unhelpful a definition, seeing how it can encompass those who criticise Israel.

No, the Democrats just got caught being anti-Isreal and they’re digging a deeper hole for themselves, the only democracy in the Mideast and one of our closest ally and the Democrats are too chicken....to censure and condemn this hater. Despicable! 3 months and the Dems are getting deeper and deeper tangled in their web of racism, pathetic.

That said, it's refreshing to see the usual suspects aren't around anymore to post hateful and ill-informed comments about Omar. Perhaps they've found another platform to vent...

Justifiably so, her comments and the Democrats that refused to call her hateful rhetoric out are going to be the downfall of the Democrat party without question.

For the record, I never heard Omar condemning the attacks and atrocities perpetrated by Hamas and the other atrocities that the jihadists have perpetrated against the Israelis.

For the record, I never heard Omar condemning the attacks and atrocities perpetrated by Hamas and the other atrocities that the jihadists have perpetrated against the Israelis.

I've never heard Trump or any of his deluded base condemning the 70 years of brutality against Palestininans.

and the Democrats are too chicken....to censure and condemn this hater.

Whilst the Republican detritus are only too happy to let their hatred go mainstream. Rapists, abusers and racists all have a pass in the GOP.

anti-Isreal

Covfefe.

I've never heard Trump or any of his deluded base condemning the 70 years of brutality against Palestininans.

I never heard ONE Democrat condemn the Palestinian war against the Jewish people or the second intifada that killed so many innocents.

Whilst the Republican detritus are only too happy to let their hatred go mainstream. Rapists, abusers and racists all have a pass in the GOP.

Dunno about that, the last 3 months seem to have been particularly brutal when it comes to all the racist scandals of the Democrats.

I never heard ONE Democrat condemn the Palestinian war against the Jewish people or the second intifada that killed so many innocents

Let’s keep it real, OK? There are Democrats galore who condemn violence perpetrated by Palestinians. Have for decades. You don’t think America’s lopsided policy in the ME is only dictated by Republicans, do you?

It can be empirically verified whether or not Trump has condemned Israeli violence, and likewise for all Democrats. Maybe check that before basing your conclusions on personal anecdote.

I never heard ONE Democrat condemn the Palestinian war against the Jewish people or the second intifada that killed so many innocents.

Democrats tend to take a more even-handed view. Obama said he had ‘no sympathy’ for Hamas.

You have swallowed the rightist package whole which has an ingredient telling you that you take the side of Israel no matter what.

This is very unhelpful.

Let’s keep it real, OK? There are Democrats galore who condemn violence perpetrated by Palestinians. Have for decades.

Well, they have a very funny way of showing it.

You don’t think America’s lopsided policy in the ME is only dictated by Republicans, do you?

lopsided?

It can be empirically verified whether or not Trump has condemned Israeli violence,

Actually, no

and likewise for all Democrats. Maybe check that before basing your conclusions on personal anecdote.

Which Dems has condemned the Palestinians terrorist in its purest form?

Democrats tend to take a more even-handed view.

I can see that. Omar’s comments couldn’t have been more clearer.

Obama said he had ‘no sympathy’ for Hamas. 

Ok....lol

You have swallowed the rightist package whole which has an ingredient telling you that you take the side of Israel no matter what.

This is very unhelpful.

No, I just refuse to swallow the Democrats talking points when it comes to their crocodile tear love and devotion for Israel. Sorry, I’m not stupid.

Democrats tend to take a more even-handed view. 

I can see that. Omar’s comments couldn’t have been more clearer

It was ugly. She needs to stop it.

Obama said he had ‘no sympathy’ for Hamas. 

Ok....lol

Ok...lol is just childish nonsense which adds nothing to a discussion. If you have nothing constructive to add, don’t add anything.

No, I just refuse to swallow the Democrats talking points when it comes to their crocodile tear love and devotion for Israel. Sorry, I’m not stupid.

Why does everything have to be so partisan? It has nothing to do with love and devotion. It is about being honest and non-partisan about the excesses of both. You are only interested in the excesses of one side.

This is very unhelpful.

This such a joke. So if someone calls out North Korea, does that make the person anti-Asian? Criticizing a country's policy has nothing to do with the people living there. Besides, there's nothing Rep. Ilhan Omar said that was even remotely antisemitic. I do remember those right-wing morons in Charlottesville shouting antisemitic rhetoric that Trump seemed to be okay with.

is about being honest and non-partisan about the excesses of both. You are only interested in the excesses of one side. 

As you are as well.

No. There are excesses on both sides. I call out both. You only call out one. That is partisanship.

I’m a conservative that is very true and No, I can’t see anything good from ANY socialist policy from this bunch.

Socialism has nothing to do with your view on the Israel/Palestine issue. This is a nonsensical comment.

Socialism has nothing to do with your view on the Israel/Palestine issue. This is a nonsensical comment.

Once you realize that they are actually using a different word that is spelled the same as Socialism, but does not share a meaning with the actual word, his comment becomes slightly less nonsensical.

Their meaning of the word is more along the lines of 'boogeyman', or 'monolithic evil'. It has nothing to do with the meaning of the word the rest of the world uses.

I know it's confusing. They aren't the swiftest people, choosing the spelling and pronunciation of their word to be the same as a real world, but that's the world we live in. Some of the morons gained power, and now we have to deal with that.

No. There are excesses on both sides. I call out both. You only call out one. That is partisanship.

I call both out as well, but you are squarely focused on the conservative sides conduct, that is partisanship at its core.

Socialism has nothing to do with your view on the Israel/Palestine issue. This is a nonsensical comment

I disagree in that the majority of people that seem to have animosity towards Israel also seem to have a favorable view of socialism.