President Laura Welch’s Comments on the Rise in Antisemitism in the US
November 2, 2022
Recent comments from celebrities, politicians and white supremacists are part of a rising tide of antisemitic threats that Jews across the US are experiencing. Republican candidates, such as Pennsylvania’s Doug Mastriano’s blatant promotion of antisemitic hate against his Jewish opponent, and Adam Laxalt in Nevada saying Jews are part of a cult cannot be tolerated or ignored. Comments by Ye (Kanye West) about going “defcon 3” against Jews and those by former President Trump are just the tip of thousands of years of hate.
It is a fact that ignoring and not speaking out against antisemitism is what led to the Holocaust when over six million Jews were annihilated along side Roma, LGBTQIA+ people and those with disabilities by the Nazi regime.
As the Jewish President of Illinois NOW, I speak on behalf of our chapter in our condemnation of all forms of hate against any religious group. We will not be silent when any group aims to denigrate, disenfranchise or harm ANY member of ANY religion. Our intersectional lens is part of every issue we tackle whether it is racism, homophobia, or immigrant rights. WE WILL NOT TOLERATE HATE.
We are in solidarity with our Jewish members and the Jewish community as a whole who fear going to synagogue, school or simply out in their community. When white supremacists were emboldened in Charlottesville, VA to hold a Unite the Right rally walking with tiki torches screaming “Jews will not replace us,” members spoke out. When gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey equated abortion to the Holocaust, we LOUDLY pushed back. And we will continue to work with groups such as the National Council of Jewish Women in Illinois and others who know that allowing antisemitism to go unchecked is a danger to every member of society.
I ask that you join us in strongly speaking out against antisemitism.