Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) warned Wednesday that the recent rise in antisemitism across the country is leaving Jewish Americans to feel “left alone,” and that antisemites are “taking advantage of the pro-Palestinian movement to espouse hatred and bigotry toward Jewish people.”
Schumer warned that the recent rise in antisemitism across the country is a crisis and is leaving Jewish Americans to feel “left alone.”
Schumer made a 40-minute speech on the Senate floor about the hate directed at Jews in the midst of the Israel-Gaza war. Schumer urged those advocating on behalf of Palestinians to learn the history of violence and oppression Jewish people have faced for centuries and condemned antisemitism with full-throated clarity.
He mentioned that many Jewish people consider the rise of antisemitism “a five-alarm fire.”
Stefanie Fox, executive director of Jewish Voice for Peace, criticized Schumer’s speech for blaming the wrong people for antisemitism and defended the advocacy for justice and peace.
After the speech, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called Schumer’s remarks “extraordinary.”
Overall, the key takeaway is that hatred and bigotry towards any group of people is unacceptable, and it is important to condemn any form of discrimination or hate.