North American Jewish Groups Denounce Antisemitic Attacks in Wake of Hostilities Between Israel and Hamas
As North American Jewish denominations representing a significant majority of American Jewry, we join together to uniformly condemn rising incidences of antisemitism. We commend the many religious, civil society and political leaders of goodwill who have denounced these actions and are urging and implementing step to strengthen efforts to combat antisemitism and antisemitic attacks.
The recent hostilities between Israel and Hamas have only heightened the concern about antisemitism throughout the Jewish community. Let us be clear: it is not antisemitic to criticize Israeli policies or to express solidarity with the cause of Palestinian rights. It is antisemitic to hold all Jews accountable for Israel’s actions, to deny Israel’s right to exist, or to assault Jews on any pretense.
The recent Pew study of Jewish Americans found that three-quarters of respondents believe there is more antisemitism in the U.S. today than there was five years ago. Vandalism at synagogues, Jewish community centers, and other Jewish institutions; verbal, written and social media diatribes against Jews; and physical assaults on Jewish Americans are all becoming more common.
We unequivocally reject the voices of those who would perpetuate anti-Jewish hatred at this moment or any other. There can be no excuse or acceptance of such behavior or viewpoint, especially in a democracy founded on principles of religious freedom.
