WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and other Republican senators in introducing a resolution condemning hatred and violence against Jews, denouncing anti-Israel rhetoric from elected officials and the media and reaffirming that Jews must be treated with dignity and respect.

“Some say that being anti-Israel doesn’t mean being anti-Semitic, but the two often go hand-in-hand. Since Hamas started lobbing rockets at Israel, we have seen anti-Semites commit numerous acts of violence against Jews in America and abroad. The individuals whose irresponsible words have added to this cloud of hate have no excuse. Israel is America’s ally, and Jewish Americans have played a significant role in making America the great, diverse nation that we are today. We must continue to stand against anti-Semitism,” said Kennedy.

“The sickening rise in anti-Semitic attacks in the United States and around the world must end, along with the hateful anti-Israel rhetoric from politicians and the media that inspires the violence. We must ensure that Jewish people receive the full protection of law owed to them as citizens of the United States,” said Hawley.

Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) co-sponsored the resolution.

The resolution has also received support from the Republican Jewish Coalition and the Family Research Council.

In recent weeks, Jewish people in the United States have been threatened, cursed at, spit on, burned and physically assaulted in nearly 200 documented attacks since the start of the most recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Kennedy previously joined his colleagues in introducing a resolution to stand with Israel and condemn the attacks by Hamas. Kennedy and more than 40 other senators also sent a letter to President Biden urging him to stand with Israel and stop negotiating with Iran concerning potential sanctions relief.