[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 250 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 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.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 27, 2021
Mr. Risch submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
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.
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.
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.
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