PATERSON, NJ – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today condemned the rise in antisemitic acts in the United States and demanded urgent action to curb these hateful trends. Per a study released by the Anti-Defamation League, the United States saw 2,107 antisemitic incidents in 2019, including 463 in New Jersey alone. The national tally represents a whopping 12% increase in incidents from 2018, while the New Jersey tally represents a reprehensible increase of 96%.

“Today as our nation and our world combat one of the greatest challenges of the modern era, the seemingly timeless enemy of anti-Jewish hate continues to rear its ugly head. Born of bigotry, these rises in antisemitism are precipitous and dangerous and must be fought at every turn,” said Rep. Pascrell, who works each year to increase security funding for religious institutions throughout the United States. “Today I’m calling on my colleagues and all national leaders to join me in several measures to combat this deplorable trend. First, we must demand at least $360 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program that provides needed funding to nonprofit organizations at high risk of a terrorist attack. Second, we must pass the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2020, the Never Again Education Act, and other key pieces of anti-hate legislation. And third, we must condemn antisemitism, hate, and bigotry wherever and whenever it may appear. Uniting under this common cause can help stamp out antisemitism once and for all. The progress of modern civilization itself depends on it.”

Rep. Pascrell has been the foremost advocate in Congress for greater scrutiny of right-wing and other domestic extremist groups and a longtime proponent of increased funding for the NSGP.