Congressman Dan Goldman's Statement on Antisemitic Protests in New York City

“This week, the homes of the Director and Board Members of the Brooklyn Museum were vandalized with vile antisemitic language and symbols. This latest act of hate occurred one day after a despicable, pro-Hamas, antisemitic rally occurred outside of the Nova Exhibition, a powerful memorial to the 364 victims of the October 7 massacre at the Nova Music Festival. 

“Increasingly, our city is witnessing hateful acts of antisemitism masquerading as legitimate protest.  Make no mistake: personally attacking Jewish members of our community, harassing survivors of a massacre, and celebrating the October 7 attack and the terrorist groups that perpetrated it is not a form of peaceful, anti-war protest. It is a deliberate call for further violence and a campaign of intimidation aimed at making Jews everywhere feel unsafe.  

“While there may indeed be peaceful, anti-war protestors included in university encampments or other rallies and protests against Israel, these gatherings have now been co-opted by agitators who openly support Hamas and Iranian-backed terrorist groups, celebrate the violence of October 7, and spew vitriolic antisemitic slogans. This has made it impossible to distinguish between those who truly wish for peace from those perpetrating hateful acts of antisemitism. 

“With the recent surge in antisemitism around New York City, it is now time for everyone, especially our progressive organizations and peaceful protestors to stand up to the hate emanating from these gatherings and protests. I urge those organizing rallies and protests to condemn and exclude the individuals and organizations that are calling for more death, more violence, and more hate. It is incumbent on all who support democracy and liberal values to draw a clear line in the sand and reject hateful bad faith actors. 

“Hate against one is hate against all.” 

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