U.S. Representative David Kustoff (R-TN-08) joined Representative Max Miller (R-OH-07) this week in introducing a resolution condemning and denouncing antisemitism in the United States and around the world.
Kustoff and Miller, the only Republican Jewish members of the House, said it’s time to stand up to surging antisemitism infecting communities and institutions, including Congress.
Since Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel in early October, incidents of antisemitism nationwide have spiked nearly 400 percent from the same period last year, according to the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism.
The resolution, which notes several high-profile antisemitic incidents in recent weeks, is endorsed by the Republican Jewish Coalition.
“Since October 7th, we have seen an alarming rise in antisemitic incidents, attacks, harassment, and discrimination both in the United States and across the globe,” Kustoff said. “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.”
“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.”
Antisemitism, in particular, has spiked on U.S. college campuses.
A newly released survey by the Anti-Defamation League found 73 percent of Jewish college students and 44 percent of non-Jewish students said they have experienced or have witnessed antisemitic incidents since the beginning of the current school year.
This week, the Brandeis Center and Jewish Americans for Fairness in Education sued the University of California system, UC Berkley, and its administrators on charges of “a longstanding, unchecked spread of antisemitism.”
Next week, the presidents of Harvard University, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania are expected to testify before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce during a hearing on antisemitism on campus.
In a speech on Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said the rise of antisemitism since the opening of the Israel-Hamas war is a “five-alarm fire that must be extinguished.”
“To us, the Jewish people, the rise in antisemitism is a crisis,” he said during the 40-minute speech on the Senate floor.
But members of Schumer’s own party have been widely criticized for antisemitism, particularly the leftist members of Congress leading the movement promoting boycotts, divestments, and economic sanctions against Israel — one of the United States’ top allies.
Miller introduced one of the original resolutions to censure U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12) for her “past antisemitic statements, anti-Israel remarks, and spewing of hate which is unbecoming of a member of Congress.” The House earlier this month voted 234-188, with some Democrats joining Republicans in censuring Tlaib, a member of the far-left cadre of federal lawmakers known as the “Squad” and the only Palestinian American in Congress.
“The World has seen a drastic rise of antisemitism since October 7th that is deeply disheartening and extremely concerning,” Miller said. “Elected leaders must have the courage to condemn and fight all forms of domestic and global antisemitism.”
The Kustoff-Miller resolution details several incidents of antisemitic conduct since the Hamas terrorist attacks, including:
- On November 4, 2023, an Arizona man was arrested by Federal authorities for threatening to execute a local Rabbi and ‘‘every other JEW I can find tonight at midnight of your Sabbath.’’
- On November 6, 2023, Paul Kessler, a 69-year-old Jewish man, tragically died due to injuries sustained when an anti-Israel protester struck him in the head with a megaphone in Los Angeles, California.
- On November 15, 2023, anti-Israel protesters illegally blocked and violently attacked the Democratic National Committee headquarters, endangering the lives of individuals inside, including Members of Congress, and injuring 6 Capitol Police Officers.
In an interview with Newsmax on Wednesday, Kustoff said passage of the resolution should be a “no-brainer.” But it will again require Democrats to stray from the sirens of the radical left.
“For this resolution to be introduced and hopefully be able to vote on it in the near future will send a signal to the nation and the rest of the world,” the Tennessee congressman said.
M.D. Kittle is the National Political Editor for The Star News Network.
Photo “David Kustoff” by David Kustoff.