Ocean County Leader

The House of Representatives has passed a resolution, H.Res. 1449, condemning the global rise of antisemitism with significant support from Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester). The resolution was approved by a vote of 388-21 and urges countries and international organizations to address antisemitic hate.

Rep. Smith, who co-chairs the House Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, expressed concern about the increasing spread of antisemitism. "The spiritual cancer of antisemitism is metastasizing—not only in our own country but in many others as well—at a rate that is both shocking and sickening," he stated.

Smith highlighted incidents such as the recent "Amsterdam pogrom—the horrific mob assault on Israeli soccer fans earlier this month" as evidence of this growing issue. He emphasized that silence is not an option in confronting antisemitic acts, urging government officials to denounce such actions without delay.

The resolution endorses the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism, which promote the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. According to Smith, these guidelines serve as a program of best practices for developing policies to effectively combat antisemitic hate.

"When elected leaders fail to denounce antisemitic violence and slurs," Smith remarked, "the void is not only demoralizing to the victims but also enables the spread of this pernicious hatred."