Jewish Democratic Congress Members, Led by Gottheimer, Urge US Ambassador-at-Large Appointment to Combat Antisemitism Spike

A group of four Jewish Democratic Congress members — led by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ) – penned a letter to President Joe Biden on Tuesday expressing concern over rising antisemitism in the US and calling for a “united, all-of-government effort” to combat it.

“It is undeniable that this increase in antisemitic incidents has coincided with recent conflict in the Middle East,” the lawmakers — including Reps. Elaine Luria (VA), Kathy Manning (NC), and Dean Phillips (MN) — wrote. “It must be made clear that there is simply no excuse whatsoever for harassing or targeting people because they are Jewish. Blaming Jews for conflict in the Middle East or seeking to hold them collectively responsible for Israel’s government policies is antisemitic, and it is wrong.”

“Given that Jews in Europe and around the world have faced a similar increase in threats in recent weeks coinciding with the conflict, we also urge you to swiftly nominate an experienced and qualified United States Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism,” they added.

Furthermore, the legislators called out colleagues on both sides of the aisle in Congress for using “reckless, irresponsible antisemitic rhetoric.”

The full letter can be read here.

On Monday, Biden tweeted, “The recent attacks on the Jewish community are despicable, and they must stop. I condemn this hateful behavior at home and abroad — it’s up to all of us to give hate no safe harbor.”

The recent attacks on the Jewish community are despicable, and they must stop. I condemn this hateful behavior at home and abroad — it’s up to all of us to give hate no safe harbor.

— President Biden (@POTUS) May 24, 2021

A CAM database of recent antisemitic incidents across the globe can be found here.