Congressman Chris Smith is in Vienna today as part of  a State Department delegation representing the United States at the first-ever OSCE international conference tasked with further developing and strengthening practices to combat anti-Semitism.

    Smith, who serves as Chairman of the United States Helsinki Commission and Vice Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, authored a resolution at last summer’s Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly that called upon all 55 member nations to redouble efforts to combat anti-Semitism in Europe, the United States, and Canada.  This conference is a result of his ongoing efforts.

    The delegation to Vienna is being led by former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.  In addition to Smith and Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida, it includes the leaders of several major non-governmental organizations that work to fight anti-Semitism including Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League, Rabbi Andrew Baker of the American Jewish Committee, Mark Levin of the National Conference on Soviet Jewry (NCSJ), and Daniel Mariaschin of B’Nai B’rith.

    “In spring of 2002, just one year ago, we witnessed a striking upsurge of anti-Semitism in many European countries.  These incidents included attacks on synagogues, the desecration of cemeteries, and physical assaults on people who appeared to be Jewish,” Smith said.

    “Unfortunately U.S. statistics on anti-Semitism present an equally disturbing picture.  The number of incidents in the U.S. increased by 8 percent in 2002 to 1,559 according to the ADL.  Sadly, my own home state of New Jersey counted 171 incidents,” he added.

    “In both the U.S. Congress and OSCE, we have been actively engaged in looking for an effective response to this serious problem, and this landmark meeting is one such action.  Throughout the past year, we have passed resolutions, investigated incidents, and raised increased awareness to anti-Semitic violence.  It is my hope that many more nations will join this partnership in the months and years ahead so that we can eradicate this scourge,” he said.

    Smith made a plea to his fellow parliamentarians to denounce anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic acts; to write, enforce, and enhance laws to prosecute offenders to the fullest extent and to keep better statistics of anti-Semitic violence.  He also stressed the need of better educating people, especially children, about anti-Semitism.

    “Perhaps most importantly, we must educate a new generation about the perils of anti-Semitism and racism so that the terrible experiences of the 20th Century are not repeated.  This clearly is a major task that requires a substantial and sustained commitment from all of us,” he said.