Jewish Dems Respond to Anti-Semitic Attacks in New York: “We Are Appalled by this Hanukkah Onslaught”

WASHINGTON – Following a spate of anti-Semitic attacks in the past week, including a mass stabbing in Monsey, N.Y., Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) Executive Director Halie Soifer issued the following statement:

“We are deeply troubled and saddened by the unconscionable spate of anti-Semitic domestic terrorism. In the past week alone, during the first seven days of Hanukkah, there have been 10 attacks targeting Jews in the New York area, including the horrific stabbings last night in Monsey, NY. We stand in solidarity with the Hassidic community, which has been disproportionately targeted by violent anti-Semitism. An attack on any part of the Jewish community is an attack on all Jews, and today our hearts are with the families of those impacted and our prayers are with the injured.

“The sharp rise in anti-Semitism demands the attention and action of government officials at every level. We are pleased to see the swift and decisive response of New York law enforcement and government officials, including Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio, and call on the federal government – and all elected officials – to do more to protect Jewish communities, institutions and places of worship.

“We condemn anti-Semitism in all forms, wherever it may emerge. At the same time, anyone serious about fighting anti-Semitism must also consider the cumulative impact of the most powerful U.S. elected official repeating anti-Semitic stereotypes, amplifying anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, equating neo-Nazis with those peacefully protesting them, and espousing xenophobic and hateful vitriol. Anyone serious about combatting anti-Semitism must start by condemning that which emanates from, and is legitimized by, the White House.

“President Trump is not solely to blame for the rise of anti-Semitic violence – and we do not yet know the political beliefs or motivations of the perpetrators of recent attacks – but the president is not absolved of responsibility for emboldening hateful ideologies and extremists in our country. Hatred does not emerge in a vacuum, and President Trump’s rhetoric and policies have unquestionably played a role in legitimizing and normalizing the rise of hatred that has afflicted our community in recent years. Symbolic gestures on Israel have done nothing to make American Jews more secure.

“Enough is enough, and we demand leadership at every level work to end the barrage of hate and domestic terror targeting Jews.”

JDCA is tracking the rise of anti-Semitism under Trump in a timeline. It also released two ads, calling Donald Trump “the biggest threat to American Jews”, which can be found here and here.