[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 92 (Wednesday, July 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1228-E1229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONCERNING RISE IN ANTI-SEMITISM IN EUROPE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. ERIC CANTOR

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 2002

  Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
393. I would like to thank my colleague from New York, Mr. Crowley for 
introducing this resolution and for his leadership. This legislation 
calls for the governments of Europe to protect the safety and

[[Page E1229]]

well-being of their Jewish communities and cultivate an atmosphere of 
cooperation and reconciliation among Jewish and non-Jewish residents. 
The resolution urges them to act quickly to respond to the escalating 
violence against Jews in Europe.
  In the past 18 months, there has been a significant rise in anti-
Semitic attacks on Jewish people and Jewish institutions in Europe. Not 
since the end of World War II have we seen so much anti-Semitic 
violence throughout Europe. Many European leaders continue to shrug off 
the violence as an episode in the Mideast conflict and not a reflection 
of a serious problem closer to home.
  In the wake of this wave of anti-Semitic violence, the Anti-
Defamation League (ADL) surveyed 2,500 people from 5 European countries 
and the results were shocking. The survey found that nearly a third of 
Europeans harbor some traditional anti-Jewish views, while 62% believe 
the recent violence against Jews is the result of anti-Israel 
sentiment. The survey goes on to find that 30% of Europeans believe 
that Jews have too much power in the business world and nearly 1 in 4 
say Jews don't care about anyone but their own kind.
  In no European country is there a greater concern than in France. It 
has been reported that French Jews fear for their safety if they walk 
down the street in Paris wearing yarmulkes. In April, the Maccabi 
Jewish soccer team was practicing in Paris and was attacked by French 
youths with baseball bats. One Jewish youth was severely beaten. 
According to the ADL survey, only 14 percent of French respondents say 
they are ``very concerned'' about recent violence against Jews. 
Additionally, more than a third of French respondents say they are 
``fairly unconcerned'' or ``not at all concerned'' by the increasing 
amount of anti-Semitic violence.
  The festering intolerance has manifested itself through attacks on 
synagogues and other Jewish institutions. The seeming failure to 
properly speak out against these attacks brings into question the 
commitment of some to stamp out this wave of anti-Semitism. We in the 
United States must take a firm stand on this issue today. Neglecting 
the problem of anti-Semitism is unacceptable. I urge all my colleagues 
to support this resolution and send a message to Europe and the rest of 
the world that the United States will not sit by silently as anti-
Semitism rears its head on the streets of Europe.

                          ____________________