The Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) announced March 4 that it supports the House Democrats’ resolution to bring a vote to the House floor on March 6 denouncing anti-Semitism.
JDCA Executive Director Halie Soifer told the Journal in a statement,
“We strongly support the decision…and we urge members of both parties to support this resolution. Anti-Semitism has no place in America, let alone in the U.S. Congress. As JDCA has previously asserted, recent statements by Rep. Ilhan Omar perpetuating anti-Semitic stereotypes are unacceptable and incendiary. Her constituents and the American people deserve better, and we are deeply disappointed such comments have continued despite Rep. Omar’s previous apology.”
The House Democrats’ decision comes after Anti-Defamation League (ADL) CEO Jonathan Greenblatt wrote a letter March 4 to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to introduce a resolution after Rep. Ilhan Omar said on Feb. 27 she wanted to discuss “the political influence in this country that says it is okay for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country.”
“While we may disagree with those who do not share our views on Israel, we recognize that criticism of Israel is not inherently anti-Semitic, Soifer said. “However, allegations that American Jews have dual loyalties, or that the Jewish community exercises untoward financial influence on U.S. policy, are anti-Semitic and must be recognized as such. We would condemn such remarks from any member of Congress, regardless of their political or religious background.”
