Bill Summary
The resolution condemns the increase in antisemitic violence in the United States that has been observed since the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel. It highlights that while peaceful political expression is a right, some elements within the pro-Palestinian movement have resorted to violent actions and intimidation against Jewish Americans. The resolution cites specific incidents of violence, including arson, shootings, and attacks on Jewish events, which have created a climate of fear within Jewish communities.
The resolution asserts that the United States is built on principles of freedom and equal protection for all citizens, regardless of their background. It calls for the House of Representatives to unequivocally condemn the rise of antisemitic violence, support investigations and prosecutions of offenders, and encourage educational and civic institutions to reject antisemitism. It emphasizes that antisemitism has no place in America and reaffirms the country’s commitment to civil rights and safety for all citizens.
Possible Impacts
The resolution condemning antisemitic violence in the United States, as described in the provided text, could affect people in various ways. Here are three examples:
1. **Enhanced Legal Protections for Jewish Individuals**: The resolution calls for full investigations and prosecutions of individuals involved in antisemitic violence. This could lead to more robust legal measures aimed at protecting Jewish Americans from hate crimes. As a result, Jewish individuals may feel a greater sense of safety and support from law enforcement and the legal system, knowing that antisemitic acts are taken seriously and addressed through legal channels.
2. **Impact on University Environments**: The resolution urges academic institutions to reject antisemitism and foster safe environments for Jewish students and faculty. This could lead to changes in campus policies, increased security measures during protests or events, and more support systems for Jewish students facing harassment. As a result, Jewish students may experience a more welcoming and safer academic environment, free from intimidation or violence.
3. **Increased Awareness and Education**: By affirming that antisemitism has no place in the United States and calling for a rejection of individuals or groups that incite violence, the resolution could stimulate educational initiatives aimed at raising awareness about antisemitism and its consequences. This may result in community programs, workshops, or discussions that educate the public, thereby promoting tolerance and understanding among diverse groups. Consequently, individuals may become more informed about the impact of hate speech and violence, contributing to a more cohesive society.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 498 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 498
Condemning the surge in antisemitic violence in the United States and
reaffirming support for the safety and civil rights of Jewish
Americans.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 10, 2025
Ms. Van Duyne submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on
Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Condemning the surge in antisemitic violence in the United States and
reaffirming support for the safety and civil rights of Jewish
Americans.
Whereas, since the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel,
antisemitic incidents have surged across the United States;
Whereas while Americans have the right to express political beliefs peacefully,
an extremist fringe within the pro-Palestinian movement has crossed a
dangerous line resorting to violence, intimidation, and threats aimed at
Jewish Americans and their allies;
Whereas what began as protest has, in some cases, escalated into hate-motivated
crimes, firebombings, and deadly assaults;
Whereas this pattern has created a chilling climate of fear for Jewish
communities and threatens the basic principles of civil society;
Whereas the United States is founded on the principles of freedom, safety, and
equal protection under the law for all citizens, regardless of religion
or ethnicity;
Whereas the Jewish community in the United States has been the target of
multiple acts of violence and intimidation since late 2023, including--
(1) the April 13, 2025, arson attempt at the Pennsylvania Governor's
residence, in which a man threw Molotov cocktails at the home of Governor
Josh Shapiro, a Jewish American, while the Governor and his family were
inside, and the suspect expressed anti-Israel sentiments and referenced
Palestine in a 911 call following the attack;
(2) the May 21, 2025, shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in
Washington, D.C., where a gunman, Elias Rodriguez, opened fire and killed
two Israeli Embassy staffers, reportedly shouting ``Free Palestine'' as he
was apprehended;
(3) the June 1, 2025, firebombing of a Jewish vigil in Boulder,
Colorado, being investigated by the FBI as an act of domestic terrorism,
where Mohamed Sabry Soliman attacked peaceful attendees of a rally held in
support of Israeli hostages using Molotov cocktails and a makeshift
flamethrower, leaving at least eight people hospitalized; and
(4) the October 2023 assault at Harvard University, in which two pro-
Palestinian students, who were both charged with assault and battery, and
one of whom was later awarded a Harvard Law fellowship to work with the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), an organization many have
accused of harboring antisemitic views, physically confronted and shouted
down a Jewish student during a protest;
Whereas colleges and universities across the country have allowed, encouraged,
and empowered violent, pro-Palestinian organizations and actions on
their campuses that have led to numerous threats of violence against
Jewish students, civil rights violations, vandalism, and destruction of
property, which only serves to indoctrinate a new generation of Jew-
haters and incite others to take violent actions against Jews;
Whereas the pro-Palestinian movement is intertwined with known terrorist
supporting organizations like CAIR and Students for Justice in
Palestine, which is heavily funded by foreign sources who support Hamas
with the mission of bringing chaos to everywhere it operates;
Whereas, in a hearing held by the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives on November 15, 2023, entitled ``From Ivory Towers to
Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt
Universities, and Terror Financing'', testimony was heard regarding how
two groups, American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) and Students for
Justice in Palestine (SJP), a campus group that receives funding and
training from AMP, are linked to individuals who previously worked for
nonprofits that were shuttered by Federal authorities or sued in civil
court because they provided financial or material support to Hamas; and
Whereas antisemitic attacks and harassment have also included vandalism of
synagogues, doxxing of Jewish students on campuses, disruption of Jewish
religious services, and threats against Jewish faculty, businesses, and
public officials: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) unequivocally condemns the rising wave of antisemitic
violence occurring under the pretense of political protest,
including recent deadly attacks targeting Jewish individuals
and institutions;
(2) affirms that while peaceful protest is protected under
the First Amendment, violence, intimidation, and support for
terrorist organizations such as Hamas constitute criminal
conduct and must be treated accordingly;
(3) supports full investigations and prosecutions of all
individuals involved in antisemitic violence, and affirms
support for victims, their families, and the broader Jewish
community;
(4) urges academic and civic institutions to reject all
forms of antisemitism, refrain from legitimizing individuals or
groups that incite violence, and foster safe environments for
Jewish students and faculty; and
(5) reaffirms the foundational American values of religious
liberty, equal protection, and civil peace, and declares that
antisemitism, in any form, has no place in the United States.
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