Antisemitism befouls Republican campaigns

An ad is playing on the television, its tone celebratory.

"Doug Emhoff," a narrator says, "would be the first Jewish presidential spouse ever".

As the narrator cheerfully notes Mr Emhoff’s religion, an image of the Israeli flag appears onscreen.

“Kamala Harris is a strong leader for these difficult times — and joining Kamala will be her husband and top adviser, Doug Emhoff,” the narrator says, as images cycle across the screen of Mr Emhoff wearing a yarmulke; visiting Oskar Schindler’s factory; and lighting Hanukkah candles with Ms Harris. “Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff: making history, standing up for what’s right, supporting Israel.”

Reading the above description, borrowed from The New York Times, one might conclude that the ad is running in Brooklyn, fashioned to bring Jewish voters into the Harris/Walz camp. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, the ad, sponsored by a Republican allied political action committee, is running in areas around Detroit, Michigan, home to the largest concentration of Arab-Americans in the US. The goal: to suppress the Arab and Muslim vote for Harris in a key swing state.

Thus, what on first blush appears to celebrate Emhoff’s Jewish heritage is a dog whistle to antisemites, including the trope of Jews holding dual loyalty.

In 2024, antisemitism is very much alive in Republican campaigns across the US, though not as prominently as the racism targeting Haitian immigrants or the misogyny aimed at “childless cat ladies” like Taylor Swift.