Whether it is at a kosher store in New Jersey, or in synagogues in Pittsburgh, or Poway, California, Jewish Americans are targeted by hateful criminals. According to the Anti-Defamation League, there were more than 1,800 incidents of anti-Semitism in the U.S. in 2018, including over 1,000 cases of harassment.
These attacks on our Jewish community must end. As a nation, we must renew our commitment to eradicating anti-Semitism and embrace President Trump’s leadership to stand firm with Israel and take decisive action when others will not.
Under President Trump, we are no longer leading from behind. He fulfilled his campaign promise and moved the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. President Trump also signed an Executive Order that will cut off aid to colleges and universities that tolerate or promote anti-Semitism. The President knows we cannot stand idly by as Jewish students on American college campuses are targeted by the radical left for daring to support our strongest ally in the Middle East, Israel.
We must take this issue seriously which is why I have been a proud supporter of legislation in the Iowa house that requires governmental entities to consider anti-Semitism when investigating discriminatory acts. Unfortunately, some extreme politicians in Washington do not agree. Far-left representatives have touted anti-Semitic tropes and hateful rhetoric against Israel. Members of Congress have pushed legislation to support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement which seeks to crush Israel’s economy. Those who echo this hate need an important reminder: Israel is our closest ally and the one Democracy in the Middle East. But even more important, Israel is a critical ally in the war on terrorism.
As Iran continues to pursue conflict, it is more important than ever to stand firm with Israel. Their enemies are our enemies. Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran all want to destroy Israel and America. Israel provides us with valuable intelligence to fight against radical Islamic terror.
I ask that you join me in calling on leaders in Washington to support U.S. commitment to provide defense aid to Israel, as well as legislation that reaffirms the U.S.-Israel partnership, and Israel’s right to defend itself. While we all want to see a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we must not force Israel to compromise it’s right to be a independent Jewish state.
Our nation cannot fight back against hate crimes against the Jewish community when politicians walk the halls of Congress expressing anti-Semitic sentiment. Republicans and Democrats alike must speak up against their radical colleagues.
It falls on both parties to do what’s in America’s best interest: Stop these evil attacks against our Jewish friends and support our greatest ally, Israel.
