In response to reports that House Republicans may continue to use a Motion to Recommit (MTR) condemning anti-Semitism to prevent the passage of an unrelated resolution on US military disengagement from the Yemen conflict, J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami released the following statement:

“Just as they did earlier this year, Republican leaders may again shamefully exploit concerns over bigotry against Jews to stall a totally unrelated bill that would help put an end to US support for the war in Yemen. By tacking on ‘non-germane’ language condemning anti-Semitism, they would hand Mitch McConnell the ability to once again stall a vote on the Yemen resolution.

While the entire Democratic caucus powerfully condemned anti-Semitism and xenophobic bigotry just a few weeks ago, Republican leaders are demonstrating that they don’t take the issue seriously. They see concern over anti-Semitism as just another political weapon to wield against their opponents.

House Democrats should refuse to cooperate with such an outrageous stunt. They must see through the GOP’s cynical maneuver and reject any attempt to use language related to anti-Semitism as a tool to obstruct the passage of unrelated legislation.”