Wiesenthal Center rabbi slams Japanese TV claim Kushner unfit for Iran talks because he is Jewish

The Jerusalem Post reports on concerning remarks made by a Japanese television commentator, Toru Tamagawa, on TV Asahi. Tamagawa questioned whether Jared Kushner, a US Special Envoy for Peace, should be involved in US-Iran negotiations, suggesting his Jewish background made him unfit for the role. This commentary, made on the 'Hatori Shinichi Morning Show,' has drawn sharp criticism.

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It just looks like he’s there as a representative of the Trump family, and moreover, he’s Jewish, isn’t he? Regarding these talks with Iran, I feel like he’s someone who would be better off not being there, and I’ve always wondered what kind of person he is, coming in as the son-in-law.

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action for the Simon Wiesenthal Center, strongly condemned Tamagawa's comments. He highlighted that the remarks were made during the week of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, a time when Jews commemorate the 6 million murdered by the Nazis. Cooper stated that such comments reflect a disturbing rise in global antisemitism and urged Japan, a friend and ally, to respond more forcefully.

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This week Jews commemorate Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, when we remember 6 million innocent Jews murdered by the Nazis during World War II and those few brave souls, such as Japanese diplomat Chinue Sugihara, who saved thousands of Jewish refugees from certain death.

Cooper emphasized the need for immediate criticism of such remarks when they are made, noting that TV Asahi's subsequent explanation, which denied any discriminatory intent, was insufficient. He called for a more robust public response from Japan to address the damage such statements inflict on the global Jewish community. The incident underscores the ongoing struggle against antisemitism and the importance of allies taking a clear stance against it.

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Antisemitism is raging the world over. Japan is a friend and ally. We expect better from friends and allies. I would welcome the opportunity to appear on TV Asahi and other media outlets to explain to the Japanese public how much such comments damage world Jewry.