Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s conspiracy-laden tirade suggesting that the Covid-19 virus was purposely engineered to spare Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people has sparked accusations of antisemitism and racism. As a Democratic candidate for president, this controversial statement has severely tarnished his reputation.
During a private gathering in New York, Mr. Kennedy claimed that Covid-19 selectively targets specific races, disproportionately affecting Caucasians and Black people. He also asserted that Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese individuals are more resistant to the virus. These remarks not only perpetuate harmful stereotypes but also delve into bigoted territory.
The Asian American community has already endured a wave of assaults at the onset of the pandemic, fueled by misguided blame towards the Chinese for intentionally unleashing the virus onto the world. Furthermore, Mr. Kennedy’s comments regarding Ashkenazi Jews tap into deep-rooted antisemitic tropes. The notion that these Jews are somehow separate from Caucasians has fueled centuries of deadly bigotry, even being implicated in historical events like the Black Plague and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Abraham Foxman, formerly the head of the Anti-Defamation League, condemned Mr. Kennedy’s remarks, emphasizing the perpetuation of harmful antisemitic stereotypes. These comments cannot be dismissed as mere ignorance, as Mr. Foxman believes that Mr. Kennedy genuinely holds such beliefs.
In response to The New York Post story, Mr. Kennedy took to Twitter to defend his conspiratorial theories. He claimed that the United States is developing ethnically targeted bioweapons, citing his previous remarks captured on video where he propagated Russian propaganda about DNA collection in Ukraine to tailor bioweapons for Russians. He also shared a scientific paper that he alleged demonstrated the Covid-19 virus’s structural susceptibility among Black and Caucasian people, with greater resistance in ethnic Chinese, Finns, and Ashkenazi Jews. However, scientists swiftly dismissed his conclusions.
Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the University of Saskatchewan, rebuked Mr. Kennedy’s claims, stating that the existence of “Jewish or Chinese protease consensus sequences” is fictional in biochemistry but prevalent in racist and antisemitic ideologies. Despite mounting criticism, Mr. Kennedy vehemently denied charges of antisemitism on Twitter, expressing his understanding of the emotional pain caused by false distortions and fabrications. He also emphasized his family’s commitment to supporting Israel and combating antisemitism throughout their political careers.
This is not the first time Mr. Kennedy has intertwined Judaism with his views on Covid. Last year, he spoke at an anti-vaccination mandate rally in Washington, drawing a controversial parallel between Covid restrictions and the plight of Anne Frank during the Holocaust.
Even Mr. Kennedy’s wife, actress Cheryl Hines, publicly condemned his reference to Anne Frank at the mandate rally, deeming it reprehensible and insensitive. Jewish leaders expressed immediate outrage at his Covid-related remarks. The Anti-Defamation League called the claim that Covid-19 is a bioweapon targeting specific racial groups deeply offensive, perpetuating Sinophobic and antisemitic conspiracy theories that have emerged over the past three years.
Representative Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat from New Jersey, took to Twitter to denounce Mr. Kennedy, stating that he is a disgrace to the Kennedy name and the Democratic Party. Gottheimer, who comes from a Jewish family, shared that his entire family, too, had contracted Covid-19.
In conclusion, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s ill-founded statements regarding the origins and impact of the Covid-19 virus have caused significant backlash. His remarks veer into antisemitism, racism, and conspiracy theories, estranging him from both the Jewish community and the Democratic Party.
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