Today both the president and vice president are condemning the rise in anti-Semitic attacks.
The recent attacks on the Jewish community are despicable, and they must stop. I condemn this hateful behavior at home and abroad — it’s up to all of us to give hate no safe harbor.
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 24, 2021
The surge in anti-Semitic attacks against the Jewish community in the U.S. and around the world is despicable—it must be called out, condemned, and stopped. As a country, we must stand united against hate of any kind.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) May 24, 2021
This comes after a disturbing uptick in hate crimes against Jewish people. As the violence in the Middle East grew over the last few weeks, so did the number of anti-Semitic attacks here in the United States. The Washington Post writes:
Since May 10, at least 26 instances of antisemitism have been reported across the United States, from Los Angeles to New York, according to the Anti-Defamation League and news reports. The cases range from protest signs calling Zionists “Nazis” to several physical attacks. There have also been at least four reported instances of vandalism at synagogues and Jewish community centers.
Things are especially tense in Jewish neighborhoods around New York City. There have been several attacks in the last week, including one on a 29-year-old Jewish man who was beaten by a group in Times Square last Thursday.
"That was probably the most pain I've been in in quite a long time."
Joseph Borgen says he was attacked in Times Square. Anti-Semitic attacks are being reported in US cities as tensions flare over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.https://t.co/ik6KHDWRmv pic.twitter.com/owA9vV66hT
— CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt (@CNNThisMorning) May 24, 2021
There were also a series of attacks on Saturday night in Brooklyn. In one incident, a group of men harassed several Jewish men while yelling “Free Palestine — kill all the Jews.” CBS New York describes another episode (watch above):
Police said the attackers demanded the victims repeat anti-Jewish statements and then beat them when they refused. One placed the 17-year-old in chokehold, before the victims were able to escape.
The Anti-Defamation League has joined with other Jewish organizations to ask the White House to take a series of steps to combat anti-Semitism.
As #antisemitism is rising across the country and the world, we are proud to join with @Hadassah, @AJCGlobal, @jfederations and @OrthodoxUnion in sending this letter to @POTUS offering the @WhiteHouse solutions and specific recommendations to fight antisemitism. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/q2mfJMsqfY
— ADL (@ADL) May 21, 2021
Senator Bernie Sanders is also calling for some of his fellow progressives to “tone down the rhetoric.” This came after Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) made some controversial comments last week. NBC reports:
The first Palestinian American woman in Congress, told NBC News’ Ayman Mohyeldin that Israel was “promoting racism and dehumanization” under an “apartheid system.”
Israel rejects accusations that it enforces a form of apartheid, which under international law is considered a crime against humanity.
Some progressive lawmakers, including AOC, use the term "apartheid" to describe Israel's treatment of Palestinians. Bernie Sanders' former Jewish outreach director says the charged language can fuel anti-Semitic incidents. "I think we should tone down the rhetoric," Sanders says. pic.twitter.com/lIsXnHhVTB
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) May 23, 2021
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also weighed in on the matter. She wrote, “There is no room for anti–semitism in the movement for Palestinian liberation. Our critique is of Israel and their human rights abuses. This is not an excuse for anti–semitic hate crimes.”
There is some criticism that the media and those in power aren’t putting enough emphasis on the hate crimes involving Jewish people.
“We must be concerned with the antisemitic attacks and they must be condemned as strongly as attacks against Blacks. We must speak out against all wrongs or else we have no standing when we have been wronged.” ~Al Sharpton @TheRevAl @ADL
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) May 24, 2021
Today, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi tweeted:
The recent spike in antisemitic attacks against Jews around the country and the world is horrific, heartbreaking & demands action. Antisemitism cannot be tolerated. We must come together as Americans to condemn and combat this appalling bigotry and hatred.