Theyshouldknowbetter

mean it when he told the Republican Jewish Coalition last year, “You’re not gonna support me because I don’t want your money. You want to control your politicians, that’s fine”? Is he clever for talking about so-called international banking conspiracies and for highlighting prominent Jews in a campaign advert about the greatest threats to society? Does it matter that hate groups are rushing to back him?

“Trump’s antisemitic supporters do not scare me in the least,” said one Jewish friend, who called the Republican candidate “an inexperienced politician and an unpleasant, provocative, and even a vile personality”. But “Hillary’s antisemitic, anti-Zionist supporters are mainstream in her party and scare me greatly,” the friend wrote. And a relative wrote: “Trump has severe character defects but may surprise you by becoming a great president.” So it seems a few friends and relatives held their noses and voted for Mr Trump — as a recent poll says 19 per cent of Jews probably would.

I was brought up in a politically liberal home, motivated by essential Jewish values. To cite Hillel: “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow.” And, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I?”

So I felt shaken when I heard the arguments of Jews for Mr Trump, the same Jews who would say their brethren should have recognised the dangers of Nazi Germany and fled.

I see this conflict between Americans of all stripes as more ominous than the so-called clash of civilisations. We are divided, and thus more easily conquered. There are surely some who are toasting our instability — perhaps with vodka.

No, friends, this is not exactly 1930s Germany all over again. This is uncharted territory, and global stability is at stake.