Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2019
To: Members of Congress & Staff
From: Gary L. Bauer, Director

Fighting Anti-Semitism

As we have regularly noted, anti-Semitism is a growing danger here in the United States and around the world. Late last week, a synagogue in Washington, D.C., was vandalized with vile anti-Semitic messages. This weekend, the state of Pennsylvania will pause to reflect on the anniversary of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh that took the lives of 11 worshipers.

Sadly, a new poll finds that many American Jews are increasingly fearful due to growing anti-Semitism. The survey was conducted by the American Jewish Committee. Here are some key findings:

88% of American Jews feel anti-Semitism is a problem.
57% say Jewish institutions they know have hired security guards.
43% say anti-Semitism has "increased a lot" in the past five years.
36% say hostility toward pro-Israel students on college campuses has increased in the past year.
31% say they have avoided identifying as a Jew in public due to concerns for their safety.
25% say they have avoided certain public places, events or situations due to concerns for their safety.

It is truly heartbreaking that so many of our Jewish brothers and sisters feel unwelcome in the United States. I am reminded of President George Washington's wish, expressed in a letter to the Jewish community of Newport, Rhode Island:

"May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid."

Clearly we still have a long way to go to fulfill Washington's desire. But I know that Pastor John Hagee and Christians United for Israel are committed to doing just that!

That is why CUFI forcefully condemns anti-Semitism. That is why CUFI hosts "Night to Honor Israel" events all across the country, bringing Christian and Jewish communities together to celebrate our shared values.

That is why CUFI on Campus is fighting the anti-Semitic BDS movement. And that is why CUFI Action Fund is working to pass pro-Israel legislation in Congress and in state legislatures.