Trump's 'Shylock' Comment Draws Outcry from Jewish Groups
President Trump's recent comments regarding a 'very peaceful' Jerusalem have sparked criticism from Jewish groups.
Yesterday, President Trump referred to the newly elected Israeli Prime Minister as a 'Shylock,' sparking accusations of anti-Semitism. The comment, made during a meeting with members of the Republican Jewish Coalition, immediately drew criticism from prominent Jewish organizations, including the American Jewish Committee (AJC). Many view the reference to Shylock, a character from William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice known for demanding a 'pound of flesh' from a defaulting borrower, as implying negative stereotypes about Jews.
AJC released a statement saying,'We urge you to excise this kind of dangerous language from your speech -- and to uphold the values of the Constitution you swore to protect.'
The President's Response
When asked about the criticism, President Trump defended his words, saying, 'I never used a nasty word about anybody, and people would apologize for me. This time, nobody's apologizing. It's about time.'
Trump's comments come ahead of his planned visit to Israel and Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks.
The Reaction
The president's comments have received widespread coverage, with many prominent politicians and journalists taking to social media to express their opinions.
Senator Bernie Sanders described the situation as 'dangerous and unacceptable,' while former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged President Trump to 'reject hate-filled language.'
Moving Forward
Many are concerned that President Trump's language will exacerbate tensions between religious groups and undermine the values of their shared society. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming days and weeks, as President Trump's visit to the region draws near.
