Gottheimer resolution denounces rise of antisemitism, Islamophobia across the nation

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer Wednesday announced a resolution denouncing the rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia across the country.

This resolution condemns attacks on Americans, who were targeted because of their race, ethnicity, and religion.

“This resolution reaffirms that no one, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or religion, should have to live in fear. The rise of antisemitic and Islamophobic hate crimes is unacceptable. The magnitude of the crisis we are facing calls for concerted action, at every level, to ensure that there truly is no place for hate in our state, in our local communities, or anywhere in our nation,” Gottheimer said. “Social media in particular has become a fountain of violent rhetoric, disinformation, and propaganda. We must do more to combat this hatred and secure a future where all of our children are free to express themselves, no matter their race, ethnicity, and religion.”

The resolution follows alarming instances of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and hate across the United States:

• When Wadee Alfayoumi, a 6-year- old Palestinian American, was brutally stabbed and tragically succumbed to his injuries.
• When, during an altercation between protesters and counterprotesters, Paul Kessler was hit in the head and fell to the ground, later succumbing to his injuries.
• When Hisham Awartani of Brown University in Rhode Island, Kinnan Abdalhamid of Haverford College in Pennsylvania, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad of Trinity College in Connecticut, all at the time aged 20, were shot while on Thanksgiving break in Burlington, Vermont.
• When, Congregation Agudas Achim, a Massachusetts synagogue, was targeted with bomb threats that promised to kill children.
• When the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) revealed that, in 2022, there was an increase of 794 reported hate crimes from the prior year.
• When, a 23-year-old Israeli tourist was targeted and assaulted for wearing a kippah, with the attacker saying, “All Jews should die.”