[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 93 (Thursday, May 27, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3903-S3904]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 250--CONDEMNING THE RISE IN ANTI-SEMITISM INCIDENTS 
 GLOBALLY SINCE TERRORISTS IN THE GAZA STRIP TRIGGERED SEVERAL DAYS OF 
                VIOLENCE AGAINST ISRAEL ON MAY 10, 2021

  Mr. RISCH submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 250

       Whereas there has been a concerning rise in the number of 
     verbal, physical, and online attacks against Jewish 
     communities since violence broke out between Israel and 
     terrorists in the Gaza Strip on May 10, 2021;
       Whereas, in a recent statement, Anti-Defamation League 
     President, Jonathan A.

[[Page S3904]]

     Greenblatt, remarked, ``as violence between Israel and Hamas 
     continues to escalate, we are witnessing a dangerous and 
     drastic surge in anti-Jewish hate. We are tracking acts of 
     harassment, vandalism, and violence as well as a torrent of 
     online abuses.'';
       Whereas anti-Semitic incidents have been reported against 
     Jewish communities around the world, including in Europe, the 
     Middle East, South Asia, North Africa, and North America;
       Whereas a particularly high rate of anti-Semitic attacks 
     have been reported in Europe since violence broke out between 
     Israel and the designated foreign terrorist organization 
     Hamas, with synagogues, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), 
     and Jewish community centers being vandalized in the United 
     Kingdom, Germany, and Spain;
       Whereas a similar rise in global, anti-Jewish crimes took 
     place during the 2014 Gaza War, when Hamas fired some 4,500 
     rockets at Israel over the span of 50 days, endangering the 
     lives of countless civilians;
       Whereas, in response to an ``unprecedented'' rise in anti-
     Semitic crimes in the United Kingdom, like the assault 
     against Rabbi Rafi Goodwin in North London, Prime Minister 
     Boris Johnson rightly reaffirmed his support for the United 
     Kingdom's Jewish community;
       Whereas pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Canada have 
     compared Israel with the Nazis, used anti-Semitic slurs, 
     violently targeted pro-Israel demonstrators with rocks, and 
     displayed posters calling for ``Death to Israel'', and 
     protestors in Spain displayed desecrated Israeli flags with 
     swastikas imposed onto the Star of David;
       Whereas, at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in the 
     Netherlands, attendants reportedly referred to Prime Minister 
     Mark Rutte as ``cancer Jew'' and shouted ``Heil Hitler'';
       Whereas, since violence broke out between Israel and 
     militants in the Gaza Strip earlier this month, numerous 
     Jewish community centers, nongovernmental organizations, and 
     synagogues have come under attack in Germany, and in some 
     cases received threats regarding the intent to commit 
     physical harm;
       Whereas, in Argentina, a Jewish community building was 
     vandalized with graffiti saying ``we are going to kill you'', 
     and ``Jewish rats'', and swastika crosses were imposed onto 
     sidewalks;
       Whereas the rise of anti-Israel groups and voices in the 
     United States has contributed to increased anti-Semitism in, 
     and outside, the United States;
       Whereas this rhetoric has fueled support for the Boycott, 
     Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement which represents a 
     financial, political, and economic manifestation of anti-
     Semitism against Israel; and
       Whereas the people and Government of the United States 
     stand strongly with our Israeli allies and reaffirm Israel's 
     right to self-defense against threats emanating from United 
     States- designated foreign terrorist organizations, including 
     Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) condemns expressions of anti-Semitism being reported 
     around the world, including those taking place in the United 
     States;
       (2) rejects anti-Semitism in all its forms, and reaffirms 
     its commitment to understanding, tolerance, and equality;
       (3) stands by Jewish communities around the world as they 
     face unacceptable levels of risk based on extremist views;
       (4) reaffirms our strong support for our Israeli allies, 
     who faced numerous attacks from Iran-backed militants in the 
     Gaza Strip;
       (5) calls on the President to urgently appoint a Special 
     Envoy to Monitor and Combat anti-Semitism at the Department 
     of State to help coordinate United States policy regarding 
     anti-Semitic crimes around the world; and
       (6) condemns the BDS movement for contributing to the rise 
     of anti-Semitism.

                          ____________________