Chuck Schumer Decries Rise In Antisemitism, Warns Against Collectively Blaming Jews For Israeli Government

Forbes Breaking News

During remarks on the Senate floor Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke about an increase in antisemitic violence after a recent incendiary attack in Boulder, Colorado.

Transcript

00:00Recognize the minority leader?

00:03We are. I ask unanimous consent. The quorum be dispensed with.

00:07Without objection?

00:09So on anti-Semitism.

00:11The attack in Colorado, the shooting in Washington, the arson in Pennsylvania have one thing in common.

00:18The assailants have cited anti-Israel sentiment as justification for their violence.

00:24They have, in other words, used the actions of the Israeli government they don't like to justify violence against Jewish Americans here at home.

00:36This is, unfortunately, a growing trend since October 7th.

00:41As the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in American history,

00:45I have watched with growing alarm as a poisonous ideology, ancient in its roots but modern in its mutations,

00:54has spread across our country.

00:57We are witnessing, in real time, the resurgence of collective blame against the Jewish people.

01:05And if we do not confront it clearly, unequivocally, and together,

01:11we risk opening the door to even darker days.

01:15Now, I've said it. I've said that it is legitimate and not anti-Semitic to peacefully protest and criticize the actions of any government,

01:25including the Israeli government.

01:27But there's a profound and dangerous difference between criticizing a government and condemning an entire people.

01:35The idea that Jews everywhere be responsible for the policies of the Israeli government is not only false,

01:43it plays on one of the oldest forms of anti-Semitism out there,

01:48blaming the Jews collectively for the world's problems.

01:52Whether it's blaming the Jews for the death of Christ,

01:56blaming Jews for bringing in immigrants as part of the conspiracy theory of great replacement,

02:01or blaming the Jews for actions of the Israeli government that one may not like,

02:07it is all the same a pretext for hate.

02:12I have long warned that if we aren't careful,

02:18what starts as legitimate critiques against the Israeli government can easily slip into something far more sinister.

02:25If disagreements are allowed to morph into intolerance,

02:29if intolerance is permitted to spread and linger,

02:32if bigoted voices are allowed to take over legitimate debates,

02:36history shows that the threat of violence is never too far away.

02:43I fear history is beginning to whisper its warnings once again.

02:50Our nation has been strongest when it has stood against bigotry in all forms.

02:56Let us summon that strength again.

03:00The way forward is very clear.

03:03All Americans of goodwill must stand together to condemn anti-Semitism and all forms of intolerance

03:08when no matter where it rears its ugly head.

03:17Let us remember what America is all about and who we are.

03:23Thank you for hearing from us.

03:25Let us hear what America looks like.

03:25Amen.

03:28It is among folks at the time of humanity.

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