Reps. Budd, Zeldin, Kustoff Introduce Resolution To Reduce Anti-Semitism Through Education

Statement

Today, Representative Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced H. Res. 782 along with Reps. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) and David Kustoff (R-TN).

The resolution encourages public schools throughout the country to design and teach a curriculum about the history of anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, and the historic importance of the creation of the Jewish State of Israel in 1948. It also highlights that the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement (BDS) has subjected Jewish students on college campuses to rampant anti-Semitism and calls on federal law enforcement officials working with State and local officials to hold the perpetrators of anti-Semitic attacks accountable and bring such perpetrators to justice.

Rep. Budd said in a statement:

"In recent months, anti-Semitic violence has spread across America, including the recent stabbing that happened over Hanukkah at Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg's home in New York. In addition, the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement has subjected Jewish students on college campuses to rampant anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitic and anti-Israel attitudes often emerge because of a lack of understanding of the long and painful history of the Jewish people and the fact that anti-Semitism has followed them to all corners of the globe for thousands of years. As a result, our Jewish community is feeling rattled, frightened, and unsafe and we cannot allow these feelings to fester. I'm proud to lead a resolution that will help increase understanding and rid our country of all anti-Semitic hate."

Rep. Zeldin said in a statement:

"Hanukkah 2019 will be remembered for a sick amount of violent anti-Semitic attacks in and around New York City. From colleges to Congress to Hanukkah parties and synagogues, anti-Semitism is on the rise and on full display in many ugly forms. These violent anti-Semitic attacks are being caused by raw hate, feckless leadership, a culture of acceptance, and the promotion of anti-Semitism. I'm proud to come together with my colleagues to not only condemn these attacks, but introduce a resolution that will help rid our country of this poisonous anti-Semitism. A necessary ingredient in the pursuit of progress includes increased education, awareness and understanding of anti-Semitism, the Holocaust and the important existence of Israel."
Rep. Kustoff said in a statement:

"Anti-Semitism is on the rise, and the memory of the Holocaust is fading fast for too many Americans. Over the holiday season, the Jewish community experienced this hatred almost every day, especially as a Hanukkah celebration was cut short due to a vile, anti-Semitic attack. To help combat this, we must continue to teach the lessons of the Holocaust to the younger generations, explain the importance of Israel to the Jewish people, and hold those who commit these attacks accountable. This resolution calls on our law enforcement to bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice and encourages public schools to teach their students about the history of anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, equipping them with a full understanding of the consequences of this hate. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this vital legislation."

Republican Jewish Coalition National Spokesman Neil Strauss said, "We applaud Congressman Budd for this effort to ensure that young Americans learn about the Holocaust and the history of anti-Semitism."

Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) President Morton A. Klein said, "The Zionist Organization of America, the nation's oldest and one of the largest pro-Israel groups once headed by Supreme Court Justice Louis D Brandeis, strongly praised and thanks Rep. Budd for his resolution to educate students about the history of irrational Jew hatred and the Holocaust, where 6 million innocent Jews were massacred while the world was silent. This resolution also urges teaching the vital and historic importance of the Jewish State of Israel, one of America's strongest human rights loving allies and our only democratic ally in the Middle East. ZOA urges all House Members to cosponsor and pass it. At a time of unprecedented attacks against and murders of innocent Jews and attacks against Synagogues and other Jewish institutions and the prevalence and promotion of false anti-Israel and Jew-hating Orwellian propaganda in the media, on our college campuses and even by public figures, the educational effort outlined by Rep. Budd is vitally important and couldn't be more timely."

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