Patrick Little says he’s dedicating his life to exposing Jews who supposedly “control” the United States. He “woke up to the Jewish question” and has described himself as “counter-Semitic” who wants the United States to be “free from Jews.” Little is running for California’s U.S. Senate seat and defeat four-term Senator Diane Feinstein, whom Little describes as a “Zionist (expletive)”.
Patrick Little
In the past, such extreme anti-Semitic views might have rendered Little politically toxic, but today Little is a viable candidate. He’s leading the pack of ten Republican challengers who hope to unseat Sen. Feinstein. The California Republican party has disowned Little, and forcibly removed him from its state convention this past Saturday. Delegates describe how Little spat on the Israeli flag. Despite this type of offensive behavior, Little continues to enjoy public support and remains Sen. Feinstein's leading challenger in the polls. If he wins the June 5 primary, he could face Sen. Feinstein in the general election in November.
While it’s highly unlikely Little would win the general election, the fact that’s running at all - and that he’s being taken seriously as a candidate by millions of California voters - has many American Jews on edge. In recent months, several politicians and candidates across the political spectrum have voice overtly anti-Semitic views that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.
Representing the American Nazi Party
One might think that having led the American Nazi Party would disqualify a candidate for serious consideration in Chicago today, but the Republican primary election of March 20, 2018, proved otherwise. Arthur Jones, a former leader of the American Nazi Party who currently heads an anti-Semitic white-supremacist movement, has long been a nuisance candidate in Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District, representing portions of Chicago and its southwestern suburbs. On March 2018, Jones ran unopposed as the only Republican candidate on the primary ballot, and won. He’ll now head off against incumbent Rep. Dan Lipinski on November 6.
Arthur Jones speaking at a Neo-Nazi rally
The Illinois Republican Party has decisively opposed Jones, saying, “We strongly oppose his racist views and his candidacy for any public office, including the 3rd Congressional District”. Tragically, however, Jones’ candidacy and new-found prominence has helped him to disseminate his hateful views, including denying the Holocaust, and accusing “world Jewry” and Zionists of terrorizing non-Jews.
Spreading anti-Jewish Conspiracy Theories
On May 5, 2018, Leslie Cockburn, a documentary maker and writer, received the Democratic nomination for the 5th Congressional District in Virginia, the state’s largest. On November 6, she’ll face off against Rep. Thomas Garrett in what is widely expected to be one of the country’s toughest fought races. Cockburn’s selection has shocked some voters who recall a book she wrote in 1991 that put forward patently false, ant-Jewish conspiracy theories.
Leslie Cokburn
“Dangerous Liaison: The Inside Story of the US-Israel Covert Relationship”, which Cockburn wrote with her husband, accused Israel of secretly controlling American policies. A New York Times review of her screed noted “their book, supposedly a history of the secret ties between Israel and the United States, is largely dedicated to Israel-bashing for its own sake. Its first message is that, win or lose, smart or dumb, right or wrong, suave or boorish, Israelis are a menace. The second is that the Israeli-American connection is somewhere behind just about everything that ails us.”
The review also quoted a co-founder of the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond, Virginia, noting that Cockburn’s claims were incorrect: “I don’t know to which hate group she was trying to cater...but her claims are wildly inaccurate.”
Blaming Jews for the Weather
First-term Democratic Washington DC City Council Member Trayon White was considered an up and coming local politician - until a Facebook post he uploaded on March 16, 2018 went viral worldwide. In it, Martin is seen driving through the streets of Washington DC as it begins to snow. Martin began a bizarre rant, blaming the Jewish banking family “the Rothschilds” for “controlling the climate to create natural disasters.”
It’s long been a staple of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories that Jews somehow manipulate global events. It was chilling to hear this anti-Jewish trope being parroted by an elected city official, and it was especially worrying to hear this old conspiracy theory in a bizarre new form: to blame Jews for a snowfall implies a hatred that’s visceral and extreme. It soon emerged that this was no momentary lapse, when reporters uncovered evidence that White had donated constituent funds to a Nation of Islam event at which anti-Jewish statements were made.
Standing by while Jews are Slandered
In the wake of the furor over Trayvon’s preposterous Facebook post, a Washington D.C. Housing Authority Commissioner, Joshua Lopez, decided to organize a “Unity Rally” to support his embattled colleague. On April 26, 2018, about two dozen people assembled on the steps of the District’s Government building. A representative of the Nation of Islam was among them, and he verbally attacked D.C. Council Member Elissa Silverman, one of two Jews on the District’s council, calling her a “fake Jew” and referring to Jews as “termites”.
Lopez stood by without challenging these odious remarks. Following an outcry, Lopez resigned his post on May 1.
Overt Jew-Hatred
One of the leading contenders to replace U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan is an avowed anti-Semite. Paul Nehlen has seemingly endorsed a book that blames Jews for tainting Nordic peoples, and tweeted a list of media figures he said were either Jews or married to Jews. (Twitter banned him following that and other offensive posts.) He has also embraced the slogan “It’s okay to be white” and white supremacy ideology.
Although the Wisconsin Republican Party has formally repudiated Nehlen, returning his membership dues, Nehlen is continuing to campaign for Wisconsin’s Republican primary on August 14, 2018. Shockingly, this odious figure might have a chance of winning. Although Nehlen lost to Mr. Ryan by 68 points in the 2016 Republican primary, Mr. Ryan has announced he will not seek re-election, and Nehlen seems to be out-spending the only other Republican in the race, Nick Polce, an army Special Forces veteran. As of mid-April 2018, Nehlen had raised $160,000 for his election campaign, against Polce’s $18,000.
Although it’s doubtful that Nehlen could win office in the general election on November 6, he’s been using his new-found prominence to spread his odious views about Jews and other minorities.
Blaming Jews for Gentrification
When an April 16, 2018 Brooklyn community board meeting discussed gentrification in the borough, one resident noted that people were constantly ringing her doorbell to ask if she’d consider selling her house. “It must be Jewish people,” exploded Brooklyn Assemblywoman Diana Richardson, immediately echoing classic anti-Jewish stereotypes that Jews somehow seek to harm others.
Brooklyn Assemblywoman Diana Richardson
Another Brooklyn Assembly member, Carl Heastie rebutted Richardson’s outlandish claims, and later dressed her down in front of the entire Democratic caucus. Since then, revelations have emerged of Richardson’s unhinged behavior in other political meetings, as well, and calls are mounting for her to resign. Even if she heeds demands to quit politics, her obvious contempt for Jews signals a larger problem: that anti-Jewish attitudes are found even among respected leaders in local politics.
With so much hatred directed against Jews and other minorities in America today, it’s crucial to speak out against anti-Semitic speech, wherever it comes from. With elections looming across the country, and the Midterm Elections coming up soon, it can be tempting to put politics ahead of human decency and look for ways to dismiss candidates’ hateful rhetoric. Doing so would be a significant mistake.
As Vice President Mike Pence eloquently said, “We cannot do democracy without a heavy dose of civility.” It’s a lesson we as a body politic need more than ever today.
(12) El, June 3, 2020 11:35 PM
You left off MANY, who happen to be Democrats. Was that on purpose?
(11) Kenneth Zahler, December 30, 2019 11:47 AM
Anti Semitic politicians in U.S.
The article on anti Semitic politicians leaves out the most vocal SQUAD. This group of 4 freshman congress members including Omar and Cortez are overt Jewish hating and in the news regularly. How could they be left out?
(10) Jonny English, December 9, 2019 10:42 AM
Global warning!!!
Once again the mental disease is spreading. It's very serious & global. The proof of mass cognitive dissonance is evident by the extreme acts against Zionism, Israel, anti-Semitism, all Jews. No counter balance exists eg: Mexican narcos mass murders, China drug trafficking, Tibet occupation, Chinese manned police stations inside South Africa, Homeless in U.S., Kurds, Christian ethnic murders in Africa. Anti-trust violations in U.S., opioid epidemic pay to play, Catalonia independence. Nothing quite equals the persistent increasing attacks on Israel, Zionism (they call "apartheid"), violence against Jews in public & even in the grave. Ultimately this mental disorder is not treatable by one on one psychotherapy. The alternative 'treatment' is Mass shock therapy not the kind anyone wants to experience. Meanwhile, Jews globally need to be NOT divided to say the least.....as these dark clouds hover.
(9) Liba, August 15, 2019 5:04 AM
Anti zionism is not anti semitism
To combat this rise of anti semitism let's be sure it's really anti semitism. Anti Zionism (anti the secular state of Israel) is not necessarily against Jews. American Jews can let politicians know that we are loyal to the USA first and foremost,as the Torah teaches "the law of the country we are exiled to is our law" As far as stereotypes of harming others, are we Jews presenting ourselves that way? Some times we Jews tend to feel entitled to better treatment or are seen as pushy or inconsiderate while shopping, parking ,or talking to gentiles. Let's not give reason to say that we cause harm to others !
Jonny English, December 9, 2019 10:58 AM
Quantum Chromadynamics
It's 5780, almost shabbos. Time to go home & prepare. Somehow my sense is our 'chosenness' is manifest when our physical presence is inside Israel AND our Jew to Jew interactions are NOT divisive. Analogous to when the electron field is cracked, criticality results, giving off vast amounts of heat, energy & radiation. Our presence is problematic in the electron field. The electrons are Coded to repel Protons. They particularly do NOT like us......for being us. And, quite evidently the more Jews move to Israel the less they react. Palestine is a control rod, Designed to get Jews into Israel. More Jews to Israel results in a highly enriched diverse group that will be the Light into the Nation's.
(8) David, August 7, 2019 7:21 PM
Words and Actions
The large increase in acts of vandalism perpetrated upon synagogues nation-wide and the huge increase of personal physical attacks during the last two years, evidence the perception and attitude change which has already occurred in this nation. Complete observance of HaShem's instructions guarantees protection. When not followed, as in marching in a gay parade instead of speaking AGAINST such non-sense, the Torah states all curses which will follow.
(7) Mike, May 15, 2018 1:13 AM
The media tolerates these Jew haters
The media needs to expose these haters on TV. Corner them and ask tough questions. Humiliate them in public. Expose them as anti-Semites and ruin their political careers. It would be great, but no, our media would rather yammer on about Donald Trump 24 hours a day. Think about it, Keith Ellison was almost the leader of the DNC!
(6) Nancy, May 10, 2018 11:28 AM
The difference between now and Berlin in the 1930s
During the 1930s the term social media had not yet been invented. The news did not travel nearly as fast as it does today. Therefore, we need to use this speed to our advantage. We also need to continue to remain informed and get out and vote for people with the sensitivity of J.K. Rowling. I am especially alarmed by the anti Semitism on college campuses, and would love to see the SJP organization shut down for good!!
(5) MESA, May 9, 2018 4:30 PM
If we Jews really did control the weather, why didn't we take all those snowstorms and dump them on Trayon White and his home and car. Let him dig out of that!
Nancy, May 10, 2018 11:24 AM
To commenter #5 Mesa
If only that had been possible!!
Mike, May 16, 2018 1:08 AM
If we Jews really controlled the weather Israel would not need desalination plants to produce enough water.
Yonatan Solomon, January 10, 2021 5:35 PM
if the Jews controlled the weather...
we wouldn't have needed to Europe for skiing, we would have it here in Israel
(4) Anonymous, May 9, 2018 12:04 PM
Such frightening and alarming hatred is so tragically unsettling, and yes Aliyah to Israel is a blessing, but the Jewish nation is represented all over the globe, Hashem created the entire world for us, after all. We do not yet have all the answers, but to flee in fear is giving up and giving in, we are hopefully stronger and more faithful than that.
(3) Aviel, May 9, 2018 5:49 AM
antisemitism is a most normal part of life in galut
For a period after the holocaust there was a sense of shame among the nations so antisemitism was not a belief one could express with any pride in polite circles. That has changed in America as well as elsewhere. It gets complicated as often but not always anti zionism is also antisemitism. There is also a difference between not liking and not wanting to associate with Jews and trying to limit their influence, and wanting to harm/ exile/kill Jews. The former seems a natural state of the Jews in exile among the nations while the latter is excessive and needs to be fought with all weapons possible. Still, it seems to me with the option of returning to one's homeland that is the wisest choice from both a religious and practical view. It's not easy but in history it's never been easier, and the alternative seems to be is to prolong the exile . I hope not needed as very painful, but increasing antisemitism may be the push Jews need to do what they otherwise refuse
(2) Anonymous, May 8, 2018 4:25 PM
Look at/listen to the individual
The anti Semitism has exploded and we need to take our heads out of the sand. Robert Kennedy Jr. made an incredibly antisemitic statement which I is just too painful for me to write about. Listen to what the person is saying, regardless of his/her political party.
(1) Tuviah Berkowitz, May 7, 2018 7:50 PM
Anti-Semitism from Both Sides
Notice that these anti-Semitic political figures come from both the right and the left. Liberal and conservative Jews alike should be wary of identifying completely with the political movements of the day. They are not always going to be friendly to us.
The Torah's ideology, however, is eternal and can always be trusted. So, bear a healthy distrust for the Democratic party. Be skeptical about the Republicans. Trust only in Hashem.
Dvorah, May 9, 2018 6:28 AM
True, but also notice -
Our exile was never meant to be forever, rather only until we could return and become a light unto the nations (or at least to those who aren't closing their eyes tight shut).
For your children's and grandchildren's (and forever) sake, come home now! It was a 2000 year journey! Don't forget the goal!
Anonymous, June 24, 2018 12:41 PM
To commenter #1 Tuviah Berkowitz
I agree 100% that anti-Semitism comes from both sides. Also, when listening to a politician speak we need to listen to the tone of voice and watch the body language as well.