“The National Association of Jewish Legislators (NAJL) is deeply concerned about rising hate and anti-Semitism across our country. When it comes from a state legislator it is all the more shocking and hurtful.
It recently came to light in the Seattle Times, that Washington State Rep. Jim Walsh wore a yellow Star of David, the symbol Jews were forced to wear during the Holocaust and compared lifesaving vaccinations to the Holocaust.
We unequivocally condemn the rise in anti-Semitism—whether it is Holocaust denial or minimization, violence, or harassment—targeting Jewish Americans and stand united in our call to action in response to these disturbing trends.
“We call on elected, faith and civic leaders to combat all manifestations of anti-Semitism and to discourage any language that minimizes the Holocaust or resonates with historic anti-Semitic tropes,” said Washington State Representative Tana Senn, co-President of NAJL. “Rep Walsh’s comments were offensive and trivialized the genocide of 6 million Jews, including many of my family members, during the Holocaust.”
While Jewish Americans comprise an estimated 2.4% of our nation’s population, we were targeted in 13% of all hate crimes reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2019, the most recent year for which FBI data is currently available. Anti-Semitic incidents -- including personal assaults and vandalism that have targeted synagogues, Holocaust museums and Jewish-owned businesses -- more than doubled in the U.S. in May of this year, compared to the same period in 2020, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
“Times like these are both painful and fear-inducing for American Jews. Just as we extend a hand to people of all faiths and identities who may also be targeted at this time, we ask for and find great comfort in allyship, solidarity and support as well,” said New York Assemblyman David Weprin, the co-President of NAJL.
Furthermore, we are obligated and empowered to demand national, state and local governments to take action and ensure adequate protection for synagogues and other Jewish communal institutions and we welcome important education initiatives about the Holocaust and anti-Semitism.
Together, let’s stand against anti-Semitism and hate across these United States of America.
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