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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) and 11 Republican colleagues in introducing a resolution condemning hatred and violence against the Jewish community, denouncing anti-Israel rhetoric from elected officials and the media, and reaffirming that the Jewish people must be treated with dignity and respect.
 
In recent weeks, Jewish people in the United States have been threatened and physically assaulted in nearly 200 documented attacks since the start of the most recent conflict between Israel and Palestine.
 
Joining Rubio and Hawley in introducing the resolution were Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Mike Braun (R-IN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Kennedy (R-LA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Steve Daines (R-MT), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).
 
“The horrific spike in anti-Semitic violence and crimes in the United States and around the world serves as reminder that hateful rhetoric and lies can quickly turn into violence,” Rubio said. “We must be very clear that this ancient evil has no place in our society and ensure America’s Jewish communities are protected.”
 
“The sickening rise in anti-Semitic attacks in the United States and around the world must end, along with the hateful anti-Israel rhetoric from politicians and the media that inspires the violence,” Hawley said. “We must ensure that Jewish people receive the full protection of law owed to them as citizens of the United States.”
 
“The anti-Semitic attacks occurring across our nation are disgusting,” Scott said. “This disturbing wave of anti-Semitic and anti-Israel actions in Congress, in the United States and around the world must be swiftly condemned at every level and those responsible prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We must make clear that America will never tolerate this hate and proudly stands with Israel and all of our Jewish communities.” 
 
“Anti-Semitic attacks and rhetoric must be met with a clear voice of condemnation,” Braun said. “I’m proud to join this strong statement of support for our allies in Israel and Jewish Americans here at home.” 
 
“Attacking someone because of their religious beliefs should never be tolerated. We’ve seen an alarming rise in anti-Semitic attacks across the country over the last week in response to the state of Israel exercising its right to defend itself,” Tillis said. “Every member of Congress should unequivocally condemn this targeted violence. I am proud to co-sponsor this resolution to affirm our support and protections for Jewish Americans.” 
 
“The rise in Anti-Israel rhetoric and acts of violence against the Jewish community throughout the U.S. are alarming and must stop immediately. This increase in anti-Semitism compels us, now more than ever, to defend the liberty and safety of the Jewish people here at home, and support a free and sovereign Israel abroad,” Ernst said. “I firmly stand with our ally Israel and our Jewish friends in America and around the world.” 
 
“Anti-Semitism is a unique prejudice with a unique history, which has resulted in unique horrors throughout history,” Cruz said. “This wave of abhorrent violence is directed at Jews for being Jewish, just like Hamas is firing rockets into Israel because they want to murder Jews and eliminate the Jewish state. The Senate has come together in the past to condemn antisemitism in these terms, without watering down our condemnation by reference to equally abhorrent but different forms of hatred. The Democrat House seems unable to do so, but I am hopeful that we can do so again, and I’m proud to join Sen. Hawley’s resolution.”