April 11, 2024
WASHINGTON — In response to the introduction of the Combating Antisemitism Act of 2024 in Congress, Jonathan Jacoby, Director of the Nexus Leadership Project released the following statement:
“The disturbing rise in antisemitic incidents nationwide urgently demands the comprehensive, multi-pronged effort laid out in the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. The Combating Antisemitism Act of 2024, introduced by Senators Rosen and Lankford and Representatives Manning and Smith implements and operationalizes the National Strategy in key ways. Most importantly, like the National Strategy, the CAA focuses on specific direct action to increase the safety of Jews instead of engaging in definitional debates.
“The bill creates a national coordinator to implement the national strategy and mandates reporting on progress made — ensuring accountability and a sustained commitment. The findings, action steps and reports, like the threat assessment on violent extremism targeting the Jewish community, echo the message of the National Strategy. Antisemitism is a threat to Jewish safety and it ‘undermines democracy and threatens the safety and rights of all Americans.’
We support the bill’s articulation of the broad consensus understanding that:
Antisemitism can have unique characteristics, including the evolving use of conspiracy theories that blame the various ills of society on Jews or at tribute to individual Jews a variety of evil and harmful characteristics, and including the portrayal of Jews as too powerful or controlling and deserving of hatred and mistrust. Antisemitism can also exist when individual Jews are held responsible for the policies of the Israeli government, or attacked, disparaged, or demonized based on their real or perceived connection to, affiliation with, or support for, the state of Israel as a Jewish state. Antisemitism can manifest distinctively and require a tailored response.
“We welcome this bipartisan endorsement of the National Strategy and its comprehensive framework. The National Strategy aptly incorporates multiple tools for identifying and understanding antisemitism’s varying manifestations, including the IHRA definition and Nexus Document. A wide-ranging approach bringing Americans together against this ancient bigotry’s normalization is crucial. Every lawmaker should support this bill to help our government wage an unrelenting fight against resurgent antisemitism through education, security, and upholding American ideals.”
