When Jews cheer for Fascism: Trump at AIPAC Policy Conference

On March 21, Donald Trump was one of four presidential candidates to address the annual Policy Conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). One needs no introduction to the fascist policy proposals that have propelled the businessman’s campaign into the national spotlight. Even Jews who have no family connections to the Holocaust easily observe the parallels in his scapegoating of ethnic minority groups, proposed mass deportations, immigration bans and national registries. Therefore, it was disconcerting (to say the least) to watch thousands of our brethren stand on their feet and cheer for the man whose core platform points resemble 1930s Germany more so than any modern presidential candidate’s. 

Over the years, American Jews’ political support has hinged on a candidate’s willingness to throw his or her weight behind the pro-Israel community and all of its facets. So much so, that oftentimes the candidates’ general platform points take a back seat to their stances on Israel. This has been an advantageous strategy, and one that has resulted in a strengthening of ties between the U.S. and Israel. But there is a point at which every moral Jew must ask himself or herself, how much are they willing to sacrifice for this relationship? Would we sacrifice our liberties or those of our neighbors? Or can we muster the courage to draw the line well before that? Are we willing to support a candidate who calls for a national registry of an ethno-religious minority, so long as he throws jabs at President Barack Obama’s stance on Israel? Are we willing to put aside his scapegoating tactics so that we may hear a few additional sound bites on Palestinian nationhood (or lack thereof)? Are we willing to put aside the very values that Judaism embodies, in favor of a slightly more hawkish stance on our foreign policy in the Middle East? 

In this age of political disillusionment, hyper-partisanship and changing tides, Jews’ place as a voice of political reason is becoming ever more important. The values of tikkun olam are no longer localized calls for grass-roots volunteerism. They are a real driving force behind many of the actions young Jews across the nation are undertaking: mass political action, progressive rallying and intersectional social justice. Indeed, as Jews, it is always our responsibility to embody the principles that Hillel the Elder so famously stated. And we must ask, if we are not for Muslims, what are we? If we are not for Latinos, what are we? If we don’t stand up to fascism, what are we? And if not now, when? 

So, no, we will not stand up and applaud Donald Trump for saying he will support Israel. We will not turn a blind eye to bigotry and fascism because it is politically convenient, or because it is not yet targeted at us. We will not wait until all those who stood in solidarity with us are imprisoned, deported or murdered. And this is simply because we know all too well that if we do so, there will be no one left to stand with us.

Guy Singer is an undergraduate student at UC Santa Barbara.