A resolution condemning the rise in anti-Semitism incidents globally since terrorists in the Gaza Strip triggered several days of violence against Israel on May 10, 2021.

Bill: 117-sres-250
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2021-05-27
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arab-Israeli relations

Conflicts and wars

Department of State

Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad

Federal officials

Gaza Strip

Iran

Israel

Middle East

Political movements and philosophies

Racial and ethnic relations

Religion

Trade restrictions
Latest action: action_date: 2021-05-27
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S3903-3904)

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-05-27
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This resolution rejects anti-Semitism and reaffirms support for Israel and Jewish communities around the world. It also condemns a boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement that advocates for economic measures against Israel or Israel-related individuals or organizations.</p>

tv_txt: III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 250 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 27, 2021 Mr. Risch submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Condemning the rise in anti-Semitism incidents globally since terrorists in the Gaza Strip triggered several days of violence against Israel on May 10, 2021.

Whereas there has been a concerning rise in the number of verbal, physical, and online attacks against Jewish communities since violence broke out between Israel and terrorists in the Gaza Strip on May 10, 2021; Whereas, in a recent statement, Anti-Defamation League President, Jonathan A. Greenblatt, remarked, as violence between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, we are witnessing a dangerous and drastic surge in anti-Jewish hate. We are tracking acts of harassment, vandalism, and violence as well as a torrent of online abuses. ; Whereas anti-Semitic incidents have been reported against Jewish communities around the world, including in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, North Africa, and North America; Whereas a particularly high rate of anti-Semitic attacks have been reported in Europe since violence broke out between Israel and the designated foreign terrorist organization Hamas, with synagogues, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and Jewish community centers being vandalized in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain; Whereas a similar rise in global, anti-Jewish crimes took place during the 2014 Gaza War, when Hamas fired some 4,500 rockets at Israel over the span of 50 days, endangering the lives of countless civilians; Whereas, in response to an unprecedented rise in anti-Semitic crimes in the United Kingdom, like the assault against Rabbi Rafi Goodwin in North London, Prime Minister Boris Johnson rightly reaffirmed his support for the United Kingdom's Jewish community; Whereas pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Canada have compared Israel with the Nazis, used anti-Semitic slurs, violently targeted pro-Israel demonstrators with rocks, and displayed posters calling for Death to Israel , and protestors in Spain displayed desecrated Israeli flags with swastikas imposed onto the Star of David; Whereas, at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in the Netherlands, attendants reportedly referred to Prime Minister Mark Rutte as cancer Jew and shouted Heil Hitler ; Whereas, since violence broke out between Israel and militants in the Gaza Strip earlier this month, numerous Jewish community centers, nongovernmental organizations, and synagogues have come under attack in Germany, and in some cases received threats regarding the intent to commit physical harm; Whereas, in Argentina, a Jewish community building was vandalized with graffiti saying we are going to kill you , and Jewish rats , and swastika crosses were imposed onto sidewalks; Whereas the rise of anti-Israel groups and voices in the United States has contributed to increased anti-Semitism in, and outside, the United States; Whereas this rhetoric has fueled support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement which represents a financial, political, and economic manifestation of anti-Semitism against Israel; and Whereas the people and Government of the United States stand strongly with our Israeli allies and reaffirm Israel's right to self-defense against threats emanating from United States-designated foreign terrorist organizations, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1) condemns expressions of anti-Semitism being reported around the world, including those taking place in the United States; (2) rejects anti-Semitism in all its forms, and reaffirms its commitment to understanding, tolerance, and equality; (3) stands by Jewish communities around the world as they face unacceptable levels of risk based on extremist views; (4) reaffirms our strong support for our Israeli allies, who faced numerous attacks from Iran-backed militants in the Gaza Strip; (5) calls on the President to urgently appoint a Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat anti-Semitism at the Department of State to help coordinate United States policy regarding anti-Semitic crimes around the world; and (6) condemns the BDS movement for contributing to the rise of anti-Semitism.