Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On The Alarming Rise Of Antisemitism In America

Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor to address the disturbing rise of antisemitism in the United States, highlighting a new report from the Anti-Defamation League that reveals a sharp increase in antisemitic attacks, particularly targeting Jewish members of Congress. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

This morning, the Anti-Defamation League issued a new report illustrating a disturbing trend I’ve been warning about – the rise of antisemitism in America.

Specifically, this report looked at antisemitism towards Jewish members of Congress, which has risen dramatically—something I can attest to firsthand.

Social media has become a breeding ground for antisemitism.

But it’s not just elected officials. Social media has become an easy way for hate groups to organize and proliferate their message against all sorts of communities and individuals. They go after Jewish-owned businesses. They go after synagogues. They go after families. They direct antisemitic slurs even against individuals who might not be Jewish.

We must not allow antisemitism to grow unabated in America like wild weeds. It must be confronted at every instance and it must be rooted out. We all play a part in fighting back against the forces of intolerance.

As a great poet, Conor Cruise O'Brien, said: antisemitism is a light sleeper, and when there's trouble, somehow antisemitism always pops its head up, and the Jewish people are made as scapegoats, as we have been for centuries. It must be confronted at every instance. It must be rooted out. We all play a part in fighting back against the forces of intolerance.

People of all backgrounds, faiths, beliefs, and opinions have a duty to stand up and speak out against hate no matter where it comes from.