Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution, authored by Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Peter Roskam (R-IL), Nita Lowey (D-NY), and Kay Granger (R-TX), condemning the rising tide of anti-Semitism abroad.
“Today’s unanimous passage of our resolution sends a clear and strong message that we condemn the rising tide of anti-Semitism throughout the world and that we will do all we can to prevent its spread. In 2014 alone, we have seen increased incidents of murder at Jewish sites, violent attacks and death threats against Jews, as well as violence, arson, graffiti, and other instances of vandalism at Jewish places of worship,” the lawmakers said. “We must ensure the world views such actions for what they are, the vile and hate-fueled persecution of an entire people, rather than an acceptable expression of frustration with political events in the Middle East or anywhere else. The United States must continue to play an essential role in shining a spotlight on the ugly resurgence of anti-Semitism, as well as all forms of religious discrimination.”
“Tonight, Congress sent a resounding message to the world about America’s resolve to confront this ugly and dangerous hatred. We commend Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Peter Roskam (R-IL), Nita Lowey (D-NY), and Kay Granger (R-TX) for their leadership mobilizing action against the upsurge in anti-Semitic attacks in Europe, Latin America, and even in the United States,” said Abraham H. Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League. “We hope world leaders will echo Congress’s call and will demonstrate the will to ensure that anti-Semitism has no place in their country and that Jews have the right to live in security and free of harassment and the fear of violence solely because they are Jewish.”
The resolution was cosponsored by 174 House Members, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY), and Middle East Subcommittee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Ranking Member Ted Deutch (D-FL); and House Appropriations Subcommittee on State & Foreign Operations Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-TX) and Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY).
The following groups supported the resolution: AJC, Anti-Defamation League, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Association of Jewish Family & Children’s Agencies, Christians United for Israel, J Street, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Jewish Federations of North America, Jewish United Fund to Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago (JFMC), Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice, National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry, and the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA).
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