Zionist Organization of America President Morton A. Klein and Chair Mark Levenson, Esq. praise the Kentucky House of Representatives and Senate for passing strong resolutions against antisemitism. We deeply appreciate that they incorporated in the resolutions the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism, as well as language condemning those who attack Jews for supporting Israel or question an American Jew’s patriotism if they also support Israel.
We are especially gratified that the Kentucky lawmakers chose to note in the “Be It Resolved” portion of the resolution that:
“This body rejects the perpetuation of antisemitic stereotypes in the United States and around the world, including the pernicious myth of dual loyalty and foreign allegiance, especially in the context of support for the United States-Israel alliance.”
And:
“This body rejects attempts to justify hatred or violent attacks as an acceptable expression of disapproval or frustration over political events in the Middle East or elsewhere.”
We are also especially grateful that among the Whereas clauses, there is this language:
“WHEREAS, accusing Jews of being more loyal to Israel or to the Jewish community than to the United States constitutes antisemitism because it suggests that Jewish citizens cannot be patriotic Americans and trusted neighbors, when Jews have loyally served our nation every day since its founding, whether in public or community life or military service.”
The resolutions were introduced respectively by Senator Ralph Alvarado (R-Winchester) and Representative Daniel Fister (R- Fayette).
ZOA calls on the legislatures of the 49 other states to adopt similar resolutions that include the IHRA working definition of antisemitism as well as language that affirms that Jewish Americans who are pro-Israel are loyal Americans, and we encourage residents of those states to ask their lawmakers to introduce such legislation.