Fourth wave of bomb threats prods even Trump to condemn US antisemitism at last (sort of)

Published: 22 February 2017

Last updated: 4 March 2024

Trump did not speak out against months of resurgent antisemitism among his followers in the US until Tuesday evening 21 February. Netanyahu did not issue a condemnation until the following Wednesday evening, when speaking to Australian Jews in Sydney.

New wave of bomb threats at Jewish centres across US – The Times of Israel 20.02.17
For fourth time in five weeks, JCCs evacuated, after phone calls threaten attacks in Minnesota, Texas, Wisconsin, Alabama and other states. There have now been at least 67 incidents at 56 Jewish Community Centres in 27 states and one Canadian province since the start of 2017. A Jewish cemetery has been desecrated in St. Louis.

And see:

After much prodding, Trump condemns antisemitism – JTA 21.02.17
Asked if his statement meant he was denouncing antisemitism ‘once and for all’, Trump replied: ‘Of course, and I do it whenever I get the chance to do it.’ (not true – see e.g. this video at Huffington Post [9:55 after ad].)

Netanyahu praises Trump for ‘strong stand’ on antisemitism – The Times of Israel 22.02.17
After US president condemns Jew-hatred, Israeli PM in Australia says there’s ‘a battle against those who seek to demonise our people’

Anne Frank Center calls Trump’s statement on antisemitism ‘condescending’ and ‘pathetic’ – Talya Zaks – The Forward 21.02.17
‘The President’s sudden acknowledgement is a band-aid on the cancer of antisemitism that has infected his own Administration… His statement today is a pathetic asterisk of condescension after weeks in which he and his staff have committed grotesque acts and omissions reflecting antisemitism, yet day after day have refused to apologize and correct the record.’

How Trump pleased Bibi Netanyahu and David Duke alike - Shaul Magid – The Forward 19.02.17

Neo-Nazis cheer after Trump shuts down Jewish reporter over antisemitism question – Allison Kaplan Sommer – Haaretz 19.02.17
Editor of The Daily Stormer website dubs Thursday’s press conference ‘one of the greatest things I’ve ever witnessed.’ Jewish reporter whom Trump mistreated is referred to on that website as a ‘lice infested ghetto Jew’.

Netanyahu’s kosher stamp for antisemitism February 18, 2017