Condemning Anti-Semitism

Floor Speech

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Mr. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, a few months ago, I stood here on the House floor to speak out against the troubling surge in global anti-Semitic demonstrations that followed the latest confrontation between Israel and Hamas terrorists. Crimes ranged from the desecration of synagogues and other Jewish institutions and businesses, to murders and acts of violence and terrorism against Jews.

At that time, I had just led a bipartisan coalition of over 70 Members of Congress in speaking out against the rise in anti-Semitism and calling on the United States to continue to be a global leader in combating such acts of hatred wherever they occur. The United States must lead by example which is why I am proud this body has continued to condemn anti-Semitism and support efforts to combat such actions.

With little agreement between the parties and Congress currently, I have been proud to see continual bipartisan cooperation on this issue that not only impacts Jews, but all ethnic, religious, and minority groups; unfortunately, with anti-Semitic violence and incitement continuing to increase dramatically, leading by example is not enough.

That is why I have joined with my good friends, the gentlemen from Florida, Mr. Deutch and Mr. Diaz-Balart, and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson) in leading over 80 of our colleagues from both sides of the aisle to urge the United Nations to take decisive action against anti-Semitic attacks globally.

It is beyond troubling that across the world we are seeing anti-Semitic rhetoric being circulated widely on television, radio, and the Internet and that there are even national political parties that openly espouse racist views. Even more troubling is that these hateful actions are taking place in many of our fellow member states at the U.N.

The United Nations must join the United States in taking actions to encourage member states to become global partners in combating anti-Semitism, which poses a severe threat to international peace and security. The U.N. can stem the surge of anti-Semitism through a variety of methods, including raising awareness of the global prevalence of anti-Semitic attitudes.

The U.N. should urge the adoption, implementation, and enforcement of strong hate crime laws. Hate crime laws demonstrate that a society will not tolerate unlawful actions motivated by bigotry and that minority and ethnic groups are valued members.

It should also encourage countries to expand education on diversity and tolerance because it is crucial that children are brought up in an atmosphere of inclusion and taught the significance of valuing individuals of all backgrounds and religious beliefs.

Additionally, the U.N. must encourage heads of state to forcefully speak out about the dangers of anti-Semitism which can create an environment where violence and escalating tensions can grow and impact all communities.

I thank all of my colleagues in this body who continue to stand up against such bigotry and violent acts of hatred, both here at home and abroad, as we continue to enlist others in our international community to promote freedom and equality under the law. I also want to thank the local Jewish community relations council in my district which recently held a community forum on addressing anti-Semitism.

This is a conversation that must be held in every community across our Nation and around the world. I hope to see the United Nations and all member states join us in expanding this dialogue by denouncing such actions and taking decisive action in their own countries to halt these hate crimes and acts of hatred.

Only by working together across party lines and across the globe can we successfully eradicate such hate in our world.

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