An ‘embarrassing’, ‘naive’, ‘apologist’ defence of Donald Trump

Melanie Phillips (JC, March 17) begins her embarrassing defence of Donald Trump by accusing the media of “distortion, fabrication, selective reporting and character assassination” and ends it by citing “fake news” Oh dear, Melanie.

Trump’s effort to undercut the media (fake news), the judiciary (“so-called judges”) and the legislature (illegal executive orders), combined with his daily lies (this paper is not big enough), bigoted policies (Muslim ban, hombre paid-or wall), grotesque behaviour (where do I start — pussy grabbing, making fun of the disabled) and insane conspiracy theories (Obama’s birth certificate, 5m illegal votes, GCHQ wiretapping) is “unpresidented”.

But, as a Jew, you should feel it sending a shiver down your spine. We have seen it before. There is no bias when it comes to facts and there is no bias when it comes to human decen- cy. We, of all peoples, should be aware of the consequences when facts and human decency are twisted by those in power in order to implement their world view.

Yet Melanie Phillips believes that this man will be the defender of our faith. Given she has a public platform, her naivety is dangerous.

I have heard it said that many in the Republican party are overcome with Stockholm Syndrome. Please, Melanie, don’t let it cross the water. Paul Benardout pjb200@aol.com

Melanie Phillips will have sickened many with her apologist article on Donald Trump.

He aims to “make America great again”.

Great, when it slammed the door in the faces of Jewish refugees from Europe who would end up in the Nazi gaschambers?

Great, when Jews would find themselves barred from many US golf clubs and even from staying in some hotels?

Great, when Blacks were segregated and made to sit at the back in buses?

People should be careful what they wish for.

Neville Landau. well for us Jewish girls, (perhaps 25-30 in a school of 350 pupils). We had our own religious assembly every day presided over by Jewish sixth formers. We also had access to kosher lunch, first at Woburn House and later at Poet’s Road shul in Stoke Newington.

All girls were given a Bible when they started there and we were given our special Old Testament copy, which I still have to this day. I did not come from a very observant family but some of the girls did and their families were perfectly happy with these arrangements. It had the extra benefit of giving the senior girls who took our daily service, useful leadership skills.

Is the current generation of parents off-loading to the schools their duties to teach their children about the faith?

We mustn’t forget that we live in a multi-faith society and need to interact successfully with others and not isolate our children. Sylvia Gambin

London, N13