American Jews are under attack, Congress needs to act

For the last six months, since Oct. 7, I have heard one question over and over — from elected officials, the Jewish community, university students and their parents, allies: How do we combat this terrifying surge in antisemitism? 

What can we do to protect American Jews on college campuses, in high schools, on city streets and in our houses of worship? 

Today, thanks to Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Reps. Kathy Manning (D-N.C.) and Chris Smith (R-N.J.), the co-chairs of the Senate and House Bipartisan Task Forces for Combating Antisemitism, we have an answer for our government: Pass the Countering Antisemitism Act. 

This much-needed bipartisan bill gives key components of the May 2023 U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism the force of law, supporting a whole-of-society approach to fighting Jew-hatred and creating a national coordinator to advise the president on antisemitism, direct federal agencies’ efforts and guide the work of an interagency task force.

In 2022, American Jewish Committee (AJC) issued our Call to Action Against Antisemitism to provide leaders with the knowledge and tools to understand, respond to, and prevent antisemitism. We are proud that many of these recommendations were later included in the National Strategy.

Last June, I announced a dedicated AJC Task Force to help implement the National Strategy, and we’ve since published numerous guides to help government officials, civil society leaders, college and university administrators and others act on National Strategy recommendations. Through these efforts, including training and partnerships with corporations, sports teams and federal agencies, we have seen important progress in how antisemitism is addressed, yet many recommendations need to be put into law to have real and long-standing effect. 

This legislation introduces accountability that will help ensure action throughout administrations. The executive branch would also be required to produce an annual threat assessment regarding violent antisemitism as well as an analysis of, and recommendations on how to counter, the spread of antisemitism online — making sure that policies meet the moment.

As we continue to see threats made against synagogues and Jewish community centers, mandating that FEMA has the necessary resources to implement the Nonprofit Security Grant Program will ensure these institutions can get the funding they need for security. 

The bill also calls on the Department of Education to appoint a senior official to advise on antisemitism in higher education — a welcome addition to the work the department is already doing to combat the spread of antisemitism we have seen growing over the last few years, and particularly after Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attack.

Additionally, it requires the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to conduct a study of Holocaust education in K-12 schools around the country and officially designates May as Jewish American Heritage Month.

I had the honor and the privilege of serving in Congress for 12 years. I always saw my role first and foremost as protecting my constituents. As representatives, that was our solemn promise. And Jewish constituents are under attack.

Just consider the surge in antisemitism in the states and districts represented by the bill’s authors. 

In Rosen’s home state of Nevada, there were 45 antisemitic incidents in 2023, a 50 percent year-over-year increase. A disabled teen had a swastika carved into his back. Rosen herself received threatening antisemitic voicemails, one promising to finish “what Hitler started.”

An Oklahoma City synagogue represented by Lankford was the target of a swatting incident and antisemitic flyers were distributed throughout the city.

A Holocaust memorial in Greensboro, N.C., represented by Manning, was defaced with a swastika on the second night of Hanukkah this past December. 

Last summer, 14 houses were tagged with antisemitic graffiti and another burned to the ground in Manchester, N.J., represented by Smith.

My former congressional district, Florida’s 22nd, hasn’t been spared. A bomb threat was sent to Temple Shaarei Shalom in Boynton Beach. Antisemitic pamphlets were dumped on a Lake Worth driveway.

Unfortunately, these incidents are not isolated or unique.

According to AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report, 63 percent of American Jews feel less secure than they did a year ago. An astonishing 93 percent of American Jews believe antisemitism is a problem in the U.S.

But perhaps the most important statistic of the poll is that 92 percent of U.S. adults — Jewish and the general population — believe “Antisemitism affects society as a whole; everyone is responsible for combating it.”

Let’s fulfill that obligation by passing the Countering Antisemitism Act.

Ted Deutch, a former congressman from Florida, is CEO of American Jewish Committee (AJC).