Jewish Republicans in Congress Introduce Resolution Condemning Antisemitism

An Orthodox Jewish man in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights in New York City on Feb. 27, 2019. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

Reps. David Kustoff (R-Tenn.) and Max Miller (R-Ohio), the only Jewish Republicans in Congress, have introduced a resolution condemning the rise in antisemitism.

The action comes amid the conflict between the Jewish state of Israel and the terrorist group Hamas, which has led to a spike in antisemitism in the United States and abroad. The conflict was precipitated by Hamas’s deadly surprise attack on civilians in Israel on Oct. 7, killing at least 1,200 and taking more than 200 hostage. It was the largest single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, when 6 million Jews were killed.

The resolution, introduced on Nov. 28, lists numerous instances of antisemitism, including the murder of a pro-Israel Jewish man in Los Angeles earlier this month.

It includes the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism, which has been adopted by dozens of countries, including the United States.

The definition: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

The resolution states that the House “strongly condemns and denounces all instances of antisemitism occurring in the United States and globally [and] reaffirms and reiterates its strong support for the Jewish community at home and abroad.”

The resolution also declares that the lower congressional chamber “calls on elected officials and world leaders to condemn and fight all forms of domestic and global antisemitism; clearly and firmly states that anti-Zionism is antisemitism; and rejects all forms of terror, hate, discrimination, and harassment of members of the Jewish community.”

Anti-Zionism is the belief that the State of Israel has no right to exist and that Jews have no right to their homeland.

According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), there was a 388 percent spike in antisemitic incidents between Oct. 7 and Oct. 23.

Jews are the leading target of anti-religious hate crimes in the United States annually, according to the FBI.

Moreover, 73 percent of Jewish college students surveyed by the ADL said they have been victims of or have witnessed antisemitism on campus, while 46 percent said they do not feel safe at their schools.

“Such hate has no place in our national discourse, and it is imperative leaders voice their strong opposition to these horrifying acts of violence and discrimination,” said Mr. Kustoff in a statement. “I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution that will show the world that the United States’ support for the State of Israel and the Jewish community is steadfast and unwavering.”

“The World has seen a drastic rise of antisemitism since October 7th that is deeply disheartening and extremely concerning,” said Mr. Miller in a statement. “Elected leaders must have the courage to condemn and fight all forms of domestic and global antisemitism.”

The resolution was introduced on the same day the House passed resolutions affirming Israel’s right to exist and calling for the Hamas terrorist group to release its hostages. It came one day before Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) gave a major speech decrying the rise in antisemitism amid the Hamas-Israel conflict.