Last week, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott offered a resolution “condemning antisemitism and embracing the widely-accepted International Holocaust Remembrance Association (IHRA) definition of antisemitism,” which “reinforces that any hatred toward the Jewish community or delegitimization of the state of Israel is indeed antisemitism and sends a strong message that the full force of the federal government is leading the charge against antisemitism of any kind.”
Four fellow Senate Republicans co-sponsored the resolution, which “follows the Biden administration’s decision not to codify this commonly-used and widely-accepted definition in its national strategy to counter antisemitism.”
Scott weighed in on his resolution last week.
“It sickens me that our Jewish communities have faced growing threats in recent years, fueled by dangerous and hateful rhetoric. In Florida and across America, we must continue to stand with the Jewish community and fight against antisemitism anywhere it is found – and this resolution makes clear that any attacks or hateful rhetoric about Jewish people or state of Israel is labeled what it is: antisemitism. During my time as governor of Florida and as U.S. senator, I’ve made clear that I will always use my voice and every tool at my disposal to condemn evil and stand with the Jewish community and our ally, Israel. Condemning antisemitism and these hateful attacks should not be a partisan or a political issue, and I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution quickly,” Scott said.
U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn, and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., were among the co-sponsors
“At a time when antisemitism, often poorly disguised as criticism of Israel, is on the rise in the United States and across the globe, the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism is widely acknowledged as providing the best definition of this age-old depravity. That is why I am proud to co-sponsor this necessary resolution, which lauds the IHRA definition and condemns antisemitism in all its forms,” said Hagerty.
“Antisemitism is one of the oldest forms of hatred, and its manifestation has had horrific consequences. With antisemitism on the rise around the world, it is critical that we recognize that this form of bigotry includes the rejection of the Jewish peoples’ right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism is the essential tool for combating antisemitism that the federal government should adopt,” said Blackburn.
The resolution was sent to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
The Republican Jewish Coalition, the Zionist Organization of America and NORPAC are backing Scott’s resolution.
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