Jewish groups blast Trump move on refugees

Several liberal Jewish groups have decried a leaked draft of an executive order that would temporarily bar refugees and immigrants from some Muslim countries from entering the US.

The draft, which was leaked to the media Wednesday, bars the entrance of noncitizens from certain Muslim-majority countries, including Iraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Somalia, for 30 days. It also suspends the US Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days, and bans refugees from Syria from entering the US until further notice.

A chorus of Jewish groups slammed the proposal on Wednesday.

“History will look back on this order as a sad moment in American history – the time when the president turned his back on people fleeing for their lives,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League. This will effectively shut America’s doors to the most vulnerable people in the world who seek refuge from unspeakable pain and suffering.”

Other groups also recalled past Jewish suffering in opposing the executive order. In 1939, the US denied entry to Jewish refugees, most notably turning back the MS St. Louis,a ship carrying nearly 1,000 German Jews.

“As Jews, we recognize the danger in any action that singles out people based on their religious beliefs,” said Rabbi Jonah Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center, the Reform movement’s legislative advocacy arm. “If the order is issued as anticipated, it is deeply troubling, rooted in exclusion and discrimination, and echoes the most shameful parts of our history. ”

Bend The Arc Jewish Action, a liberal advocacy group, endorsed a rally opposing the executive order held Wednesday in front of the White House. Other groups that oppose the draft order include the American Jewish World Service.

“Making decisions on who is welcome in our country based solely on their religion or national origin is fundamentally un-American,” said Stosh Cotler, CEO of Bend the Arc. “As Jews, we know what it’s like to be scapegoated and we will not be silent now.” (JTA)