J Street condemns the antisemitism that has re-emerged throughout the country, along with instances of antisemitic intimidation in a variety of contexts, including on college campuses.
It is critical to acknowledge that antisemitism takes many forms, and that countering it requires a diverse set of tools. Efforts to legislate or otherwise codify a single, controversial definition of antisemitism — in particular the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition along with its “contemporary examples” that focus disproportionately on Israel — harmfully politicize efforts to combat antisemitism and risk labeling legitimate political speech and critique of Israel as inherently antisemitic. The concerted campaign to require the use of the IHRA definition and its examples by law and regulation creates significant opportunities for abuse, while distracting from meaningful steps that could be taken like those set out in President Biden’s National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.
The rise and continued influence of Donald Trump has both fueled and been fueled by a shocking wave of open and sometimes deadly antisemitism — along with racism, xenophobia and other bigotries. Our values and the Jewish historical experience that informs them compels us to use our voice and power to lend further weight to both Jewish and non-Jewish communities, organizations and leaders fighting this rising tide of hatred.
J Street is proud to have supported myriad efforts in this area, including legislation, to:
- strengthen the office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism;
- overturn the Trump administration’s anti-Muslim travel ban;
- end the horrifying practice of family separation at the border;
- increase admissions and support for refugees;
- oppose white supremacy and white nationalism;
- confront systemic racism and police violence; and
- prevent disenfranchisement of voters of color in US elections.