Remarks Speaking Out Against Antisemitism on House Floor

Mar 08, 2017
Speeches

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak out against the rising wave of desecration, threats and harassment targeting Jewish cemeteries, Jewish Community Centers, and religious institutions in northern New Jersey and across our country.

JCC’s and synagogues are bedrocks of religious and civic life for Jewish communities, housing preschools for children and a range of religious, educational, and social programs for families and seniors. Yet, the safety and well-being of these communal spaces are in the scope of extremism and antisemitism.

Recently, there have been eight bomb threats targeting six Jewish Community Centers in New Jersey, and more than a hundred across our country.

Parents are pulling their children from religious schools. Others are afraid to attend religious services. It’s unacceptable.

In the last 24 hours alone, officials in my District have uncovered multiple swastikas defacing our public spaces.

These are not cases of random hatred; they are part of a deeply disturbing national trend that requires immediate and decisive action from law enforcement and community leaders at all levels.

As Elie Wiesel said, “Indifference, after all is more dangerous than anger or hatred.”

Leaders must stand up now against the rising trend of hate-driven terrorism against any ethnic or religious group, including Jews, Christians, Muslims, and others.

Hate and intolerance have no place in the greatest democracy in the world.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I yield back my time.

###

Recent Posts


Nov 30, 2023
Press

RELEASE: Gottheimer Statement on New York’s Congestion Tax

NORTH JERSEY — Today, November 29, 2023, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement: “As advertised, New York is officially sticking it to Jersey families with their commuter-crushing Congestion Tax. On top of the existing tolls, it’ll be 15 bucks every day to go into the city with no discounts at the GW Bridge […]



Nov 29, 2023
Press

RELEASE: After Gottheimer Questioning, Consumer Finance Protection Bureau Director Chopra Agrees to “Look Into” NY’s Congestion Tax

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, November 29, 2023, during a U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee hearing, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer questioned Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra, a New Jersey native, about New York’s $23-a-day Congestion Tax “making money off of gouging middle class Americans with exorbitant tolls.” Director Rohit Chopra agreed to “look into” the […]



Nov 29, 2023
Press

RELEASE: Gottheimer Helps Pass Bipartisan Legislation Condemning Hamas, Calling for the Release of All Hostages, and Reaffirming Israel’s Right to Exist

WASHINGTON D.C. — Tonight, November 28, 2023, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) helped pass two pieces of bipartisan legislation to condemn the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, reaffirm Israel’s right to exist, and call for Hamas to immediately surrender and safely release all hostages. On October 7, Hamas terrorists brutally murdered, raped, burned alive, decapitated, and […]