JCPA Responds to Trump Administration’s Executive Order on Antisemitism  

Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s new executive order related to combatting antisemitism: 

“Rising antisemitism is a dire threat to the Jewish American community and to democracy itself. When Jews are targeted it makes every community and our democracy less safe – just as when any other community is targeted and our democracy is undermined, it makes Jews less safe. Make no mistake: This rising antisemitism is manifesting across the political spectrum, from the left to the right, albeit in different ways.

It is both possible and necessary to directly confront and address the crisis of antisemitism, on campus and across our communities, without abandoning the fundamental democratic values that have allowed Jews – and so many others – to thrive here.

There are many unanswered questions related to today’s executive order, including how it will actually be applied; how it intersects with and could undermine civil liberties; how the federal government will actually enforce hate crimes laws, given the freeze on civil rights cases and other disturbing steps taken over the past week; and more. Everyone in the United States has basic due process rights, and when we start applying them selectively we don’t only threaten our values – we ultimately threaten our safety too.

If the administration is genuinely interested in countering antisemitism, there are many policies it can advance with broad-based support within the Jewish community and among experts.

Instead, this administration has thus far taken a number of steps that further embolden antisemitic extremists. These steps include the pardoning of those responsible for the January 6th insurrection; the use of “invasion” rhetoric – which has directly fueled deadly antisemitic violence – to advance dehumanizing anti-immigrant policies; the appointment of individuals like Elon Musk, who followed his apparent Nazi salutes at the presidential podium with Holocaust jokes and a speech at a far-right German rally urging that we “move beyond” the horrors of the Holocaust; and an attack on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility that is not only aimed at pitting communities against one another, but is already being used to suspend Holocaust Remembrance Day observances and more.

History has made clear that our safety as Jews is inextricably linked with inclusive, pluralistic democracy. A focus on countering antisemitism on campus and beyond is welcome. Undermining inclusive democracy in the name of countering antisemitism only makes Jews – and so many others – less safe.

We will continue to monitor the implementation of this executive order and work to effectively counter antisemitism while protecting our democratic values.”