Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman expresses deep concern about ongoing anti-Israel protests in the US, fearing they could lead to a tragic outcome.
Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman has issued a stark warning about the escalating anti-Israel protests in the United States, drawing parallels to the tragic events of the Holocaust. Sharing her personal experiences on "Fox & Friends," Friedman expressed alarm at the intensifying hostility and intimidation directed toward Jewish students and communities. She emphasized that such actions have historically led to catastrophic consequences, and it is crucial to prevent history from repeating itself.
According to a report, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff stands as the solitary figure within the White House's principal quartet to have reached out personally to Jewish students affected by the anti-Israel demonstrations. While marking Holocaust Remembrance Day by hosting Holocaust survivor descendants at the White House, Emhoff has additionally made two rounds of calls to Jewish students and community leaders who have faced intimidation or threats, including those at Columbia University.
Emhoff's efforts, however, appear to stand alone, as President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris have reportedly not engaged in similar outreach. Fox News Digital's attempts to elicit comments from the White House and Harris's spokesperson regarding their overtures to affected individuals have gone unanswered.
In a statement coinciding with Holocaust Remembrance Day, Emhoff emphasized the paramount importance of remembering the Holocaust's victims and condemning antisemitism in its contemporary manifestations. He noted the alarming rise in threats of violence against Jews and stressed the need to remain vigilant against the resurgence of hate and intolerance.
Vice President Harris also issued a statement denouncing hate and antisemitism, alluding to her husband's personal family ties to the Holocaust. Faced with mounting media pressure, President Biden addressed the issue of anti-Israel protests, acknowledging their disruptive nature but also upholding the American tradition of peaceful dissent. He emphasized, however, that civil order must be maintained.
The White House unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at countering the rise of antisemitism in the US, including enhanced methods for addressing online antisemitism and a letter to school districts and colleges outlining examples of antisemitism that may prompt civil rights investigations.
The White House also highlighted the sobering significance of the current Holocaust remembrance amidst the recent Hamas attacks on Israel, which it described as the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. It denounced the subsequent rise in antisemitic incidents domestically and abroad, including violent and hateful occurrences during campus protests.
Speaking on Capitol Hill during the Holocaust Memorial Museum's annual Days of Remembrance ceremony, President Biden decried the "ferocious surge of antisemitism" following the Hamas attacks, both in the US and globally. He condemned the proliferation of antisemitic propaganda on social media and the harassment and attacks faced by Jewish students on college campuses, including threats to exterminate Israel.
Biden also denounced the downplaying of the Holocaust and the horrors inflicted by Hamas, including sexual violence and kidnapping. He emphasized that silence and denial cannot erase the atrocities of the past or the ongoing threat of antisemitism.
Friedman's warning serves as a chilling reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from unchecked hatred. She urges vigilance and action to prevent the escalation of anti-Israel protests into a tragedy that could mirror the horrors of the past.
