On The New National Strategy To Combat The Surge In Antisemitism

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the House Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, issued the following statement on the new national strategy released by the Biden Administration aimed at addressing the surge in antisemitic hate across the United States:

“There are many good things about the plan

- above all I welcome the attention it pays to community/physical security, to the problems of getting better reporting and law enforcement responses to antisemitic violence and harassment, and to Holocaust education.

“Some of the most vicious and harmful antisemitism is incitement to violence and hatred of Israel. In 2004, Natan Sharansky testified at a hearing I chaired that while Israel should not be above criticism, that anti-Semitism tries to ‘hide behind the veneer of legitimate criticism of Israel.’ Sharansky said that employing the 3D test - demonization, double standards and delegitimization - is useful in exposing antisemitism.

“When antisemites spew their hatred, one of the principal duties of an elected official is to stand publicly and emphatically with the intended victim.”

Rep. Smith is the author of the law that created the Office to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism in the US State Department, as well as the law that established ambassadorial-level leadership of the fight against antisemitism abroad.

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Larry’s Home and that they hope to do another 5K in the future.

“We walk by faith and not by sight,” Hulse said.

Larry’s Home would be named after Hulse’s childhood friend Larry Robertiello. He served two tours in Kuwait and Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served from October of 2001 to July of 2004, reaching the rank of Specialist in the Army and receiving four medals. He worked as a plumber in his civilian life. However, when he got home, he suffered from PTSD and addiction, which claimed his life. A year-round shelter would be a tran - sitional facility, because the goal is to make them independent. Additionally, having one location gives them the consistency that fosters safety, trust, and a home base for them to get the services they need to get back on their feet.

Several religious and other welfare groups host overnight shelters, filling in the gap in service because Ocean County’s leaders refuse to establish a permanent shelter. Many have explained that it can be paid for by a fund fueled by a $5 fee on every real estate transaction but the County Commissioners said they didn’t want to charge people that.

Hulse thanked the supporters and participants for their help in this endeavor.

For more information, visit JustBelieveInc.org.