Florida Reps Warn State Department About Rising Anti-Semitism

At the end of last week, three congressmen from Florida -- Republican Mario Diaz-Balart and Democrats Ted Deutch and Patrick Murphy -- joined with U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., to send a letter to Ira Forman, the U.S. State Departments special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism. The congressmen insisted there was a rise of anti-Semitism across the globe in recent months.

We write to express our deep concerns about the alarming rise in anti-Semitic demonstrations and ask for your renewed commitment in combating this troubling surge, the congressmen wrote. Since the start of the most recent conflict between Israel and Hamas, a frightening number of violent anti-Semitic incidents have been reported.

As you are aware, recent news reports indicate that violent radicals in Europe, Latin America, and around the world have used opposition to the Gaza conflict to inflame hatred and anti-Semitism, the congressmen added. In France, two synagogues, a kosher store, and a Jewish Community Center were attacked following an anti-Israel demonstration. In Germany, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at a synagogue, and a Rabbi received death threats for 30 Jews in the city. In Italy, posters listed the names of stores owned by Jewish Italians and urged individuals to boycott Israel. In the Netherlands, a Holocaust memorial was vandalized, and two individuals were attacked for displaying Israeli flags. In Argentina, radicals displayed Israeli and American flags emblazoned with swastikas and vandalized a Jewish Cultural Center. Strongly condemning these and other intolerable acts will help stem the rise of anti-Semitism and help foster an environment more conducive to long-term peace.

Your work to fight anti-Semitism comes at a critical juncture, the congressmen wrote. By allowing anti-Semitism to flourish, nations risk violent attacks on innocent civilians, community destabilization, and escalating tensions across all ethnic, religious, and other minority groups. The values that the United States of America stands for freedom, liberty, and equal justice under law are directly threatened by rising anti-Semitism. The United States must speak strongly and resolutely in support of these values and we stand ready to support your efforts.

More than 70 members of Congress signed the letter, including Republicans Gus Biliraki and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Democrats Corrine Brown, Lois Frankel, Joe Garcia, Alan Grayson, Alcee Hastings, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Frederica Wilson from Florida.