Sunshine Sentinel

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 15, 2023, Senator Rick Scott led Senators Eric Schmitt, Mike Rounds, Bill Hagerty and Marsha Blackburn in a resolution condemning antisemitism and embracing the widely-accepted International Holocaust Remembrance Association (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. This resolution reinforces that any hatred toward the Jewish community or delegitimization of the state of Israel is indeed antisemitism and sends a strong message that the full force of the federal government is leading the charge against antisemitism of any kind. 

This resolution follows the Biden administration’s decision not to codify this commonly-used and widely-accepted definition in its national strategy to counter antisemitism, and is endorsed by the Republican Jewish Coalition, the Zionist Organization of America and NORPAC. 

Senator Rick Scott said, “It sickens me that our Jewish communities have faced growing threats in recent years, fueled by dangerous and hateful rhetoric. In Florida and across America, we must continue to stand with the Jewish community and fight against antisemitism anywhere it is found – and this resolution makes clear that ANY attacks or hateful rhetoric about Jewish people or State of Israel is labeled what it is: antisemitism. During my time as Governor of Florida and as U.S. Senator, I’ve made clear that I will always use my voice and every tool at my disposal to condemn evil and stand with the Jewish community and our ally, Israel. Condemning antisemitism and these hateful attacks should not be a partisan or a political issue, and I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution quickly.” 

Senator Bill Hagerty said, “At a time when anti-Semitism, often poorly disguised as criticism of Israel, is on the rise in the United States and across the globe, the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism is widely acknowledged as providing the best definition of this age-old depravity. That is why I am proud to co-sponsor this necessary resolution, which lauds the IHRA definition and condemns anti-Semitism in all its forms.” 

Senator Marsha Blackburn said, “Antisemitism is one of the oldest forms of hatred, and its manifestation has had horrific consequences. With antisemitism on the rise around the world, it is critical that we recognize that this form of bigotry includes the rejection of the Jewish peoples’ right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism is the essential tool for combatting antisemitism that the federal government should adopt.”

Original source can be found here.