A broad coalition of U.S. House members sounded the alarm Friday about “a dramatic spike in violent antisemitism across this country” and urged President Joe Biden to act.
“Regardless of what state or which side of the political spectrum antisemitism comes from, we must respond forcefully and immediately. We cannot wait for another attack to turn deadly before we respond,” they wrote. “We find our nation in a tense moment. …. We come together to urge a strong response to the rising antisemitism spreading in our country.”
The president, in a statement later Friday, said the “attacks are despicable, unconscionable, un-American, and they must stop. I will not allow our fellow Americans to be intimidated or attacked because of who they are or the faith they practice.”
The congressional letter was crafted by U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, a South Florida Democrat who represents a district with many Jewish residents, and three other members of the House — two Republicans and a Democrat.
Almost one-third of House members, Democrats and Republicans, had signed by Friday afternoon. Signatories include House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal.
They cited “the rise in physical and violent antisemitic attacks taking place in communities across the country.”
