Today, the co-chairs of the House of Representatives Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism issued the following statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Yom HaShoah:

    “On Holocaust Remembrance Day, we stand together in commemoration of the darkest chapter of human history—the Holocaust—which claimed 11 million lives, including 6 million Jews, and we rededicate ourselves to fulfilling the promise of ‘never again.’

    “Recently, anti-Semitism has fueled attacks on Jewish museums, markets, and synagogues in Brussels, Paris, Copenhagen, and here in the United States.  We reassert our commitment to denouncing all anti-Semitic incidents, evaluating current law enforcement efforts to protect Jewish communities, and educating other Members on how we can—and must—respond to anti-Semitism at home and abroad.  

    “As co-Chairs of the Taskforce for Combating anti-Semitism, we frequently speak out against this ugly scourge as well as efforts to deny the Holocaust or rewrite history. On this Yom HaShoah, we rededicate ourselves to reinforcing our words with action.  It is our duty to carry the mantle forward, educate our youth and keep the stories alive, ensuring that history will never repeat itself again—whether against Jews or any other people.”

    The Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism is co-chaired by U.S. Reps. Nita Lowey (D-NY), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Kay Granger (R-TX), Steve Israel (D-NY), Peter Roskam (R-IL), and Ted Deutch (D-FL).

###