Schumer Addresses Alarming Rise in Anti-Semitism in Powerful Speech on Senate Floor

Schumer Addresses Alarming Rise in Anti-Semitism in Powerful Speech on Senate Floor

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a compelling and impassioned Senate floor speech lasting nearly an hour on Wednesday,  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) highlighted the disturbing surge in anti-Semitism following the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks on Israel. A report on the Jewish Insider web site said that as the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in U.S. history, Schumer expressed his deep concern about the dangerous wave of hatred that has emerged in the aftermath of these attacks.

In the introduction to his speech, Schumer made a deliberate effort to clarify that his intention was not to label all criticism of Israel and its government as anti-Semitic. He also acknowledged the reality of Islamophobia, emphasizing his personal history of addressing this issue, the Jewish Insider report said. By doing so, Schumer aimed to foster a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding discussions related to Israel and the broader Middle East.

Schumer began by condemning the brazen and widespread anti-Semitism that has surfaced, reaching levels unseen for generations in the United States, if ever. He stressed the urgency of understanding the historical context, emphasizing that the normalization and exacerbation of this rise in hate poses a grave danger that many Jewish people fear the most, as was reported on the JewishInsider.com web site.

The senator lamented the swift erosion of solidarity that Jewish Americans initially received from their fellow citizens, drowned out by voices that, in his view, propagate anti-Semitism. He specifically criticized anti-Israel protesters who supported, justified, excused, or denied the atrocities committed by Hamas on Oct. 7. According to the report on the Jewish Insider web site, Schumer expressed disappointment that some individuals had seemingly skipped over expressing sympathy for the victims in their haste to place blame on the actions of the Israeli government.

What Schumer found particularly troubling was that the current wave of anti-Semitism wasn’t primarily originating from the far right, but rather from individuals whom many liberal Jewish Americans considered their ideological fellow travelers, the Jewish Insider reported. He pointed out that those who had previously stood together in protests against various forms of hatred and discrimination now seemed to exclude the Jewish people from the same principles.

The senator highlighted slogans used by anti-Israel protesters, such as “From the river to the sea,” which he connected to Hamas and found alarming as they clearly represent the objective of ethnic cleansing of any Jewish presence in Israel.  Schumer questioned the isolation felt by the Jewish community when some individuals praised Hamas and chanted its vicious slogans, as was noted in the Jewish Insider report.  Drawing a parallel to history, he asked, “Can you understand why the Jewish people feel isolated when we hear some praise Hamas and chant its vicious slogan? Can you blame us for feeling vulnerable only 80 years after Hitler wiped out half the Jewish population across the world?”

Schumer’s speech delved into the historical persecution and violence against Jewish people, both recent and distant. He argued that left-wing activists framing Jews and Israel as powerful oppressors perpetuate longstanding anti-Semitic narratives. The report on the Jewish Insider web site said that the senator emphasized the weaponization of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, pitting Jewish achievements against them and their fellow countrymen.

“Anti-Semitic conspiracy theories throughout the generations often theorize, often weaponize this very dynamic, by pitting what successes the Jewish people have achieved against them and against their fellow countrymen,” Schumer said. “That’s been throughout history and it’s happening now.”

In confronting anti-Israel marchers about dealing with Hamas, Schumer claimed they lacked answers or, worse, didn’t seem to care.

Schumer drew attention to the alarming disparity in how Jewish people and many outside the Jewish community perceive the current wave of anti-Semitism, as was indicated in the Jewish Insider report.   While the former view it as a five-alarm crisis demanding urgent attention, the latter often regard it as a mere problem, a matter of concern.

The senator highlighted incidents where anti-Israel activity had transformed into anti-Semitism, citing attacks on Jewish individuals and businesses, as well as harassment and violence against Jewish college students, the Jewish Insider report said.  He shared the story of a Queens high school teacher who faced a riot over her participation in a pro-Israel rally, underlining the severity of the challenges faced by those combating anti-Semitism.

Framing the fight against anti-Semitism as a fundamental test of the “future of the American experiment,” Schumer repeatedly referenced his family’s history during the Holocaust and their journey from Europe to the United States, the report added. For Jewish Americans, he emphasized, any sense of strength and security is accompanied by a lingering sense of vulnerability.

Schumer also eloquently addressed the enduring theme of the double standard faced by the Jewish people, stressing that this phenomenon has manifested in how Israel is treated differently on the world stage. According to the Jewish Insider report, he questioned the tendency to excuse Hamas attacks while ignoring the deliberate endangerment of Palestinian civilian lives by the terrorist organization. Schumer challenged the asymmetrical criticism, asking why blame for civilian deaths seems to fall exclusively on Israel and not on Hamas, which knowingly invites a significant toll on civilian lives during conflicts.

The senator also delved into the defense of Israel by the Jewish people, portraying it as a safe haven crucial to the community’s security, as was reported by the Jewish Insider.  In doing so, Schumer underscored the multifaceted challenges faced by Jewish Americans in combating anti-Semitism, urging collective vigilance and a unified stance against the rising threat.

He articulated a deep-seated fear of a world where Israel is compelled to coexist with groups like Hamas, which harbor genocidal intentions toward Jewish communities worldwide.

Schumer underscored the existential worry that, in a world without Israel, the historical refuge for the Jewish people might cease to exist, the Jewish Insider reported.  For him, the prospect of a world without Israel means no sanctuary for Jewish individuals facing persecution in other countries. He painted a stark picture of the consequences, emphasizing the importance of Israel as a crucial haven for a community with a history marked by persecution and discrimination.

Drawing from his own family history, Schumer shared a poignant moment involving his grandfather, a Holocaust survivor, who was profoundly moved during his first visit to Israel. The emotional reaction transcended politics, finances, racism, or colonial power; it resonated on a deeply human level, reflecting the profound connection many Jewish individuals feel towards Israel, as was noted in the Jewish Insider report.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell commended Schumer for his “extraordinary” speech, praising the Majority Leader for providing a comprehensive history lesson about the Jewish people and contextualizing it within the ongoing conflicts in the region, as was reported by the Jewish Insider. McConnell’s remarks underscored the bipartisan recognition of the gravity of the issues raised by Schumer, emphasizing the need for a collective understanding of the historical and humanitarian dimensions surrounding Israel’s place in the world.

His poignant address underscored the urgent need to address anti-Semitism and build bridges of understanding in the face of complex geopolitical issues, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and empathy in times of crisis.