Curbelo, Frelinghuysen, Katko lead congressional call for swift action on threats of anti-Semitic violence

U.S. Reps. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) and John Katko (R-NY) led recent congressional efforts to voice concern about reports of anti-Semitism and threats of anti-Semitic violence across the country.

Curbelo, Frelinghuysen and Katko were among a group of more than 150 Republicans and Democrats in Congress who signed a letter to FBI Director James Comey, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly calling for swift action on anonymous threats to Jewish community centers (JCCs) across the nation.

“This is not an idle concern, given that there have been at least three casualty-causing attacks at JCCs or other Jewish institutions in the last two decades — in 2014 at a Kansas JCC, in 2006 at the Jewish Federation of Seattle and in 1999 at a California JCC,” the letter said.

“This is a national problem and, as such, it requires a national solution,” the letter, which was authored by U.S. Reps. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) and Joseph Crowley (D-NY), stated.

In the first two months of 2017, the letter noted, 68 incidents were reported involving 53 JCCs in 26 states.

“Anti-Semitism, bomb threats, hate speech directed at synagogues and Jewish Community Centers must be immediately condemned and quickly investigated,” Frelinghuysen said. “This nation was built on the foundation of religious tolerance. Anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry are shameful and must end.”

Katko said recurring threats to the Jewish Community Center of Syracuse have threatened the safety and stability of the community.

“In Central New York — and across the country — the JCC represents a space for families and community members to come together, regardless of faith,” Katko said. “These criminal acts are unacceptable. We must have action from our nation’s law enforcement agencies to investigate, prosecute and prevent these dangerous threats and acts of intimidation and to protect our communities.”

Curbelo, meanwhile, met with a group of Jewish community leaders in South Florida to discuss the response to bomb threats and threatening letters sent to a Jewish community center there.

“Can we increase penalties against people who engage in this type of conduct?” Curbelo asked. “So, that’s an ongoing conversation, but step one is to listen and then to speak out and try to build a culture of acceptance, of respect, for every member of our society.”

U.S. Reps. Dan Donovan (R-NY), Leonard Lance (R-NJ), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Charlie Dent (R-PA), Patrick Meehan (R-PA), Ryan Costello (R-PA), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Peter Roskam (R-IL), Jim Renacci (R-OH), Pat Tiberi (R-OH) and Steve Stivers (R-OH) were among the lawmakers who signed the letter.