‘This Is Unacceptable’: Derek Schmidt Decries ‘Persistent Increase’ In Anti-Semitism Across The U.S.

During House floor remarks on Wednesday, Rep. Derek Schmidt (R-KS) spoke about anti-semitism in the United States.

Transcript

00:00Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

00:02This month, we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month.

00:06First proclaimed by President George W. Bush and by each president since, this month recognizes

00:11the contributions of the Jewish community to our country.

00:15We celebrate this month amidst a persistent increase in anti-Semitism in our country.

00:20Since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas on Israel, incidents of anti-Semitic attacks

00:26and harassment have skyrocketed.

00:29The American Jewish Committee found that 77 percent of American Jews say they feel less

00:35safe in the United States since the October 7 attacks.

00:40Hillel International found that 83 percent of Jewish college students have experienced

00:45or witnessed some form of anti-Semitism since the October 7 attacks.

00:51In April, Harvard released a report examining anti-Semitism on its campus with stark findings.

00:58One Israeli student said, quote, my friend has been told that others would not attend social

01:03gatherings if I were present, as they couldn't risk the social consequences of being seen

01:10with an Israeli, unquote.

01:13Another student said, quote, I am tired of fighting.

01:16It's the same group of students whose sole objective seems to be to harass and intimidate Jewish students.

01:25Despite reaching out to every office, everyone says it's not their problem, unquote.

01:33Mr. Speaker, this is unacceptable.

01:36It is all of our problem, and it cannot continue.

01:40This House, elected officials at the state and local level, faith leaders, community leaders,

01:46and university administrators all have an obligation to confront anti-Semitism.

01:51I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.