Florida’s two U.S. senators–Republicans Marco Rubio and Rick Scott–are backing a resolution from U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., condemning all forms of anti-Semitism.
Rubio and Scott join a host of senators backing the proposal which is as follows:
“Whereas anti-Semitism is a unique form of prejudice stretching back millennia that attacks the equal humanity of the Jewish people;
“Whereas anti-Semitism has long perpetrated myths about Jews, including the Russian fabrication of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion and the wide circulation of libelous falsehoods about the Jewish murder of infants;
“Whereas, in its most extreme form, antisemitism aims at the physical destruction of the Jewish people, as seen in pogroms, forced conversions and Nazi Germany’s murder of over six million Jews;
“Whereas anti-semitism has included attacks on the livelihood of Jews including prohibitions on land ownership, campaigns to boycott, confiscate or destroy Jewish businesses, and denial of the ability of Jews to practice certain professions;
“Whereas, in the United States, Jews have suffered from systematic discrimination in the form of exclusion from home ownership in certain neighborhoods, prohibition from staying in certain hotels, restrictions upon membership in private clubs and other associations, limitations upon admission to certain educational institutions and other barriers to equal justice under the law;
“Whereas, in the United States, Jews have faced, and continue to face, false accusations of divided loyalty between the United States and Israel, false claims that they purchase political power with money, and false accusations about control of the financial system, along with other negative stereotypes; and
“Whereas Jews are the targets of the majority of hate crimes committed in the United States against any religious group, including attacks on houses of worship and Jewish community centers: Now, therefore, be it.
“Resolved, That the United States Senate condemns and commits to combating all forms of anti-Semitism.”
Back in March, Scott spoke at the 2019 AIPAC Policy Conference on Florida’s continued support of Israel, and the need to stand up against all forms of intolerance and anti-Semitism.
Rubio has also been active on against anti-Semitism, pushing the U.S. State Department to do more to battle it across the globe. Back in January, Rubio teamed up with U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, to bring back the “Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act” which would “enhance the State Department’s role in combating and monitoring anti-Semitism around the world.”
Kevin Derby can be reached at Kevin.Derby@floridadaily.com.
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