For Immediate Release 

Contact: bowman.press@mail.house.gov

YONKERS, NY — Rep. Jamaal Bowman issued the following statement Friday regarding a recent uptick in acts of antisemitic hate in New York: 

“In the past several weeks, our district, state, and country have seen an increase in antisemitic hate crimes — a continuation of a trend that has been apparent for years but seems to have been enflamed by the violence in the Middle East. I will say now what I have said before: There is no room for antisemitism, hate, or prejudice in New York’s 16th Congressional District.

“Violence begets violence, and hate begets hate. Both hate and violence beget a society that harms, and makes impossible the healing necessary for us to reach our full potential. Acts of antisemitism move us backwards, further from our collective goals, and further from cultivating a community wherein everyone can feel as though they are valued, respected, and most importantly, safe to practice religion and live freely in their identity. When we condemn hate, when we condemn antisemitism, we also must commit to working together to eradicate the biases within all of us that allow hate to spread, unfettered.

“Our district and our city have the unlimited capacity to build a community that recognizes the humanity and each and every one of our neighbors. Together, we can build that community. But that must begin with us casting aside our differences, and casting aside the assumptions, biases, and conditioning that allow antisemitism to take foot. We must work together to unlearn the biases that make our foundation week, and rebuild a foundation of collective care, love, and cooperation.

“So I ask you today — wherever you encounter antisemitism, speak up. This is our community. Our words and our actions can build a future in our district that we can be proud of, and be safe in. If you experience hate, or witness hate, please reach out to the local authorities and contact my office. As a community, we will send a clear message: Hate never has had a place here, and it never will.”

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