OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Attack on Jewish People in Los Angeles

Floor Speech

Date: May 19, 2021
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Criminal Justice

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Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, over the last 5 years, we have seen a 40 percent increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes. Most are lone wolf property crimes, late at night.

But last night in Los Angeles, we saw something new: organized violence. A small caravan of SUVs, waving Palestinian flags, drove to a significantly Jewish neighborhood. Dozens of men, wearing all black, with faces covered, disembarked at a restaurant, chanting ``death to the Jews.'' They demanded that diners either answer the question: ``Are you Jewish?'' And if they answered ``yes'' or they objected to the question, they were beaten, some sent to the hospital.

Nearby, an Orthodox Jew, dressed distinctively, was chased down by a caravan waving Palestinian flags. He ran for his life, and thank God, he found safety.

The Los Angeles Police Department will investigate these hate crimes. I also ask that those who criticize the Israeli Government to avoid rhetoric which will infuse these anti-Semites with the view that they are somehow part of the American mainstream.

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