U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today sounded the alarm on the American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) annual State of Antisemitism in America report, which finds a startling growth of anti-Jewish bigotry and hate in the United States. The report comes as the nation marks the third anniversary of the attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, the deadliest antisemitic massacre in American history.
“As we mark the anniversary of the deadliest antisemitic violence in American history, this devastating report reminds us that the poison of antisemitism continues to live in our national bloodstream,” said Rep. Pascrell, whose North Jersey district enjoys one of America’s most vibrant Jewish populations. “Tragically, antisemitism is not abating but rising still. When one American does not feel safe, especially because of their religious beliefs, none of us can be secure. Our vigilance to stand with our Jewish neighbors cannot waiver. We must maintain education about antisemitism so our world cannot never forget the horrors not long ago. This continued rise underscores my fight to double current funding to protect our synagogues and houses of worship from domestic terror threats. We can never rest: the specter of antisemitism must be defeated.”
Some findings of the AJC State of Antisemitism in America Report
•90% of American Jews and 60% of all Americans view antisemitism as a problem
•82% of American Jews and 44% of all Americans think antisemitism in the US has increased
•12% of American Jews have been the target of at least one antisemitic online post
•71% of Americans Jews believe the far right poses an antisemitic threat
•Over one-in-four American Jews have avoid wearing, carrying, or displaying things that they felt might have identified them as Jewish
Rep. Pascrell has been a consistent opponent of Antisemitism and has been the foremost advocate in Congress for greater scrutiny of right-wing and other domestic extremist groups who often place Jews at the center of their deranged conspiracy theories. Pascrell has also been a longtime champion of increased funding for the federal Non-Profit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which protects synagogues and houses of worship from attacks. Pascrell recently led a bipartisan effort to double the NSGP to $360 million in FY22.
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