Madame Speaker,
I rise to call out the growing danger of antisemitism across the country and around the world. Antisemitism is no longer restricted to the fringes of society- it has become mainstream. Hateful stereotypes, lies and despicable caricatures of Jews have become common place among famous influencers, political activists, on college campuses, spread on social media, and on podcasts. Antisemitism has become normalized.
This is not a Democratic problem or a Republican problem. It is an American problem, an Australian problem, a European problem, a global problem.
Yesterday Jews were murdered at a Hanukah celebration in Sidney. Last month synagogues were attacked in New York and in Los Angeles. Last May two young Jews were shot dead outside a museum in this very city. This is what it means to Globalize the Intifada.
History teaches us what happens when antisemitism is ignored, excused, or politicized. Hatred, demonization, dehumanization spreads to other groups, eats away at democracy, and the result can be catastrophic.
This House must speak out and take action on a bipartisan basis to stop the spread of this ancient virus. The responsibility to combat antisemitism cannot rest with the Jewish community – it is a national problem that must be addressed by every member of this August body.
Madame Speaker- I had intended to give remarks on the importance of bipartisan work to combat partisan gerrymandering , which I believe undermines trust in Congress, but the events of the weekend required different remarks, but I would like to submit my original 1 minute for the record.