PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro accused Donald Trump of “anti-Semitic tropes” after the former president called him a “highly publicized Jewish governor. ”
The former president made the comment on his social media site, Truth Social, shortly after Thursday. Shapiro addressed the Democratic National Convention hours earlier.
“I think it’s become clear over the last few weeks that Donald Trump is obsessed with me and continuing to spread hate and division in our politics,” Shapiro said. “This is someone peddling anti-Semitic comments like this. “
Rabbi Beth Janus is co-chair of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia and said the former president’s comments could simply fuel anti-Semitism.
“We’re scared, and that kind of language scares us even more,” Janus said. “Distinguishing between who are the Jewish governors and other governors is a damaging precedent. “
He added: “Reducing him to the rank of ‘Jewish governor’ is very condescending and is like a whistle for dogs. “
Jonathan Greenblatt, executive director of the Anti-Defamation League, posted on social media site X the question: “Why does former President Trump feel the desire to claim in particular that Gov. Josh Shapiro is Jewish?”Why does he feel compelled to falsely tell the world that Governor Josh Shapiro is Jewish?Shapiro “did nothing for Israel?” This election is about issues, not identity. The crusade must focus on political debate and not on prejudices. »