Trump unintentionally unites Jews and Palestinians, Brunswick Beacon

Brunswick Beacon, 03.20.25

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin sat beside President Trump in the Oval Office on March 12 as Trump attacked Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY). “Schumer is a Palestinian as far as I’m concerned,” said Trump. “He’s become a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He’s not Jewish anymore. He’s a Palestinian.” Schumer is America’s highest-ranking elected Jewish official and has no Palestinian heritage.

Martin was stunned. For over 700 years, Ireland lived under English rule, which explains Ireland’s support for Palestinian rights. In 1980, Ireland became the first European Union member to call for Palestinian statehood. So, Trump insulted both Schumer and Ireland when he used “Palestinian” as a slur. 

Nihad Awad, director of the Council on American Islamic Relations, said, “President Trump’s use of the term ‘Palestinian’ as a racial slur is offensive and beneath the dignity of his office. It’s a license to dehumanize and oppress the Palestinians and treat them as something below other people.” 

Jewish groups agreed. The Anti-Defamation League said, “A President has many powers, but none of them include deciding who is and isn’t Jewish. Doing so, and using ‘Palestinian’ as a slur, are both beneath any POTUS.”

Amy Spitalnick, head of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said, “The goal for this administration isn’t to counter antisemitism or protect Israel. It’s to weaponize antisemitism to go after their political enemies, advance an extreme agenda, and undercut democracy — and it only makes Jews less safe.” His use of “Palestinian” as a slur is part of a broader effort to drive wedges between Jews and Muslims, she added.

“Trump’s attack on Schumer is antisemitic and racist,” said Jonathan Jacoby, who combats antisemitism through the Nexus Project. “He’s policing Jewish identity, invoking the dual loyalty trope, and implying Palestinians are evil. This is dangerous incitement. Jewish groups must say it clearly: the President is spreading hate and weaponizing antisemitism.”

Donald Trump: uniting people through hate.

Arthur Hill

Southport