[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 200 (Tuesday, December 5, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




STRONGLY CONDEMNING AND DENOUNCING THE DRASTIC RISE OF ANTISEMITISM IN 
                 THE UNITED STATES AND AROUND THE WORLD

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. LLOYD DOGGETT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 4, 2023

  Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I will vote ``present'' for H. Res. 894, 
not for a lack of commitment to condemn antisemitism and the Hamas 
atrocities as well as the outrageous examples of violent antisemitism 
referenced in the Resolution, but because of some of the language 
tucked into this measure and some that is omitted.
  While Anti-Zionism can be a cover for antisemitism, not all actions 
that are anti-Zionist are antisemitic. This resolution states ``clearly 
and firmly'' that ``anti-Zionism is antisemitism''--such a blanket 
statement is wrong. It fails to reflect the complexities of the Jewish 
people or the definition of Zionism and anti-Zionism itself. 
Undeniably, some in the Jewish community do not support the Zionist 
movement.
  Although I personally believe in Israel as an independent Jewish 
state, I have often criticized the Netanyahu government. Surely it 
would only devalue the meaning of antisemitism to misapply it to the 
many--Jewish and non-Jewish--who strongly disagree with that 
government.
  Much is omitted from this Resolution. Mr. Netanyahu's ultra-right 
wing government and the Israeli settlers, who have terrorized 
Palestinians in the West Bank, share a common view with some 
Palestinians--all want only one country; they differ only on who gets 
to expel the other. I believe and have long advocated for a future with 
two states, living in peace and security--one is Israeli and another 
Palestinian.
  Additionally, after the murder of a six-year-old child because he was 
a Muslim and the shooting of three Palestinians, apparently because 
they were Palestinian, and numerous examples of hate directed against 
Muslims, this Resolution fails to acknowledge that Islamophobia is just 
as wrong as antisemitism or Asian hate or other expressions of racism. 
Indeed, all these forms of bigotry have historically arisen from ultra-
right wing white nationalists like those who marched in Charlottesville 
shouting ``Jews will not replace us.'' This resolution should have 
condemned all forms of hate speech. None of us are truly safe unless 
all of us are safe.
  Finally, the timing of this Resolution is troubling. It occurs on a 
day when the United Nations has described conditions in Gaza as 
``apocalyptic.'' Along with demanding accountability from Hamas for its 
terrorism, we should be focused on how to stop the killing of innocents 
and secure the release of all remaining hostages.
  Because I do not want my views on Hamas, antisemitism or other hate 
to be misconstrued and because no amendments to correct this defective 
resolution are permitted, I will vote ``present.''

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