Senate passes resolution condemning recent rise in antisemitic attacks

The Senate on Monday passed a bipartisan resolution condemning the recent rise in antisemitic violence.

The resolution was introduced in May by Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.), co-chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism.

The resolution cited multiple antisemitic incidents from around the world including Jewish people in London being verbally harassed, a German synagogue being hit with rocks and an attack on Jewish diners in California.

The resolution also cited apparent antisemitic statements from world leaders like Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

S. Res. 252 , a resolution unequivocally condemning the recent rise in anti-Semitic violence and harassment targeting Jewish Americans, and standing in solidarity with those affected by antisemitism, was adopted by voice vote.

— Senate Press Gallery (@SenatePress) June 14, 2021

The resolution called on President Biden to “continue the leadership role of the United States in combating antisemitism internationally,” as well as nominate an ambassador to monitor and combat antisemitism. It also urged the administration to “advance accurate Holocaust education” and combat Holocaust deniers and misinformation.

In May, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said it had observed a 75 percent surge in antisemitic attacks for two continuous weeks. The surge in violence came amid renewed conflict that broke out between Israel and Hamas.