Developing story
SAN DIEGO (SDJW) — Jewish reactions were mixed over Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris — to be expected as he had some strong backers and strong opponents among the Jewish people.
Here are some of the reactions:
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — Posted on X: “Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback! Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory!”
*
American Jewish Committee: “AJC looks forward to working with President-elect Trump and his administration on the domestic and foreign policy concerns that are AJC’s advocacy priorities,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. “The global Jewish community continues to reel from the horrific Hamas attack on Israel of October 7, 2023, the ensuing surge of antisemitism, the sustained campaign of Hezbollah attacks that started on October 8, and Israel’s seven-front defensive war against the radical Iranian regime and its terror proxies – all while Iran continues its dangerous pursuit of nuclear weapons. The conflicts we are currently seeing around the world reflect a dangerous collusion among anti-democratic regimes and non-state actors. The U.S. must exert clear global leadership and be a stabilizing power as the world contends with these many threats.”
AJC worked effectively with the previous Trump administration, particularly on efforts to advance Israel’s regional integration – including the Abraham Accords. AJC strongly supported America’s long-overdue recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and welcomed President Trump’s December 2019 Executive Order to strengthen efforts to combat antisemitism on college and university campuses. We look forward to reengaging the incoming administration on these critical areas of work through AJC’s Center for a New Middle East and AJC’s Center for Education Advocacy.
AJC’s policy priorities for the incoming administration include:
Countering antisemitism: Antisemitism continues to surge around the world, including in the U.S., endangering Jews and testing the strength of societies and institutions. National whole-of-society and whole-of-government efforts like the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism must continue as global leaders speak out against and pursue new efforts to address this pernicious hate, utilizing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism to help identify its morphing virulent strains. Special attention must be paid to countering antisemitism in schools, particularly on college campuses, where antisemitism often wears a mask of anti-Zionism and where students have faced rampant intimidation. And by improving hate crime reporting, we will be in the strongest position to stamp out antisemitism everywhere.
Ensuring Israel’s safety and security: As Israel continues to fight a war of self-defense on seven fronts, U.S. support remains vital. The U.S. must utilize every bit of American leadership to help bring about the release of the remaining 101 hostages – including seven Americans – and plan for a durable peace after this terrible war ends. Equally important to supporting Israel’s military defense is the bolstering of Israel’s place in the world. The historic progress in regional integration launched by the Abraham Accords must continue and expand, and not be sidetracked by ongoing war.
Countering the Iranian Threat: Swift and decisive action must be taken to counter the Iranian regime and its malign activities. From its vast terror network, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, to its march toward nuclear capability and pervasive human rights abuses, the Iranian regime poses a global threat that requires a global response – which must be led by the United States.
Asserting U.S. global leadership: At a time when global conflicts rage, asserting U.S. global leadership and strength must be a first order of business for the next administration. It is imperative that the administration buttress alliances in the Middle East and across Europe, and insulate American allies and interests from authoritarian, anti-democratic regimes.
Strengthening our democracy: America’s diversity is a core strength of our democracy. The Trump administration should seek opportunities to increase unity among the American people and repair partisan divides. Demonization and stigmatization on the basis of ethnicity, race, gender, faith, or political perspective must be removed from our national discourse. We will continue to speak out against policies and rhetoric anywhere in America or around the world that threaten democracy.
*
Idit Klein, President and CEO of Keshet: “I woke up this morning stunned, devastated, and profoundly concerned about the future of our nation. It is gutting to know that xenophobia, misogyny, transphobia, racism, and antisemitism animated the President-elect’s base and fueled his return to power. But we know that our base is animated by a wholly different vision of this country, a society where all can live in safety and dignity. We know that we can do the work to make this vision possible.
“In this frightening moment, first, we mourn and hold our loved ones close. Then we will do what we have done for generations, as both Jews and LGBTQ+ people: care for one another, build coalitions, and stay focused on making possible the just and equitable world we all deserve.
“We know what the future Administration is planning: a country where only some people are entitled to rights, and everyone else is vulnerable — including LGBTQ+ people, including Jews.
“Keshet has always persevered to meet the moment and make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ Jews and for all of us. Despite the immense obstacles ahead, that will not change. Indeed, we will deepen our fight for justice.
“We will fight attacks on our rights and lives by mobilizing the Jewish community and continuing to invest in cross-communal and multi-faith partnerships. We will build spaces where we can all be our full selves, especially for LGBTQ+ Jewish youth and LGBTQ+ Jews of Color. We will continue to train Jewish leaders to protect against hateful rhetoric and policies and to foster places of affirmation and belonging for all Jews.
“As LGBTQ+ people and Jews, we have been here before and held onto hope. We will not give up. We will persist. Our people’s long history of survival and resilience has taught us that choosing hope is the only way forward. That is how, together, we can build the world as it should be.”
*
San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer: “I am honored to have been re-elected by San Diego County voters on Tuesday, and I am committed to defending the best interests of all the people of San Diego County from any potential threats that may arise from a second Trump presidency. We must rise above divisiveness or despair, and recommit ourselves to fighting for our shared values of fairness, opportunity, democracy, and rule of law. I am grateful for everyone who supported me in this election, and I invite those who did not to join me in working together over these next four years to make our county better for every single resident.”
*
Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego): “Like many of you, these aren’t the results I was hoping for. We poured our hearts, our energy, our time, and our money into this fight – and that wasn’t done in vain. What we fought for yesterday is still what we fight for today, tomorrow, and in the days to come: the freedom to control our own bodies, to live comfortably and authentically, and to get ahead and go after our dreams.
“I know it feels hard right now. I know you may feel scared and alone, but we can’t shut down, close our eyes, and isolate ourselves. Now is the time to stay connected and engaged. We all have a role to play in building a better future. Our neighbors need us to still show up and fight for them. The way through this darkness is to lean on each other – to make sure everyone feels seen, heard, and included and to build a government that will do the same.
“I haven’t given up and neither should you. We can still fight for the people and values we care about. We can’t protect everything, but we can still protect some things, and we can and will take care of each other.”
*
Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, CEO of Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action: “Even in the harshest of circumstances, there is space for us to act, rooted in our values and vision for the future. The results of this election are devastating. I’m profoundly worried about what the coming years will mean for our country. The climate crisis will surely accelerate, impacting us all and worsening historical inequities in the U.S. and around the world.
“But amidst my sorrow and anxiety, I’m also holding on to the knowledge that the growing Jewish climate movement, together with our partners, will continue to build a more just and livable future.
“Jews have experienced far too many periods of darkness – but we have survived and even thrived. It is going to take strategy and spirit to continue to confront the climate crisis and build a different future.”
Culled from emails and news sources