Article

Jewish Dems Condemn Anti-Semitism from the NRCC

August 6, 2019

WASHINGTON–The Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) condemned the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) for asserting that rich Jews “bought” control of Congress. The letter from Rep. Emmer, dated March 8, 2019, can be found here. JDCA Executive Director Halie Soifer said the following:

“We call on National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman (NRCC) Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) to immediately retract and apologize for his assertion that three Jews ‘bought’ control of Congress. This is classic anti-Semitism, and includes both an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory and negative stereotypes that have been historically used to foment hatred toward Jews. It’s vile and dangerous, and we reject it in the strongest possible terms.

“This week, we have witnessed the devastating consequences of propagating hate targeting any minority group. Unlike the Republican Jewish Coalition, we have been willing to call out anti-Semitism wherever it may occur, including on our side of the aisle. We call on the Republican Jewish Coalition and Republican leadership to do the same thing, and immediately both condemn and disassociate themselves from Rep. Emmer’s anti-Semitic assertion in his March 2019 letter. Given that this correspondence was sent by Rep. Emmer on behalf of the NRCC five months ago, this should have already occurred.

“It’s not enough for Republicans to feign concern about anti-Semitism when it’s politically expedient – there must be a zero-tolerance policy for hate, regardless of political affiliation, and we call on Republicans to immediately condemn Rep. Emmer’s anti-Semitic remarks.”