A who’s-who of U.S. conservative organizations has formed a national task force to fight antisemitism at home and abroad, underlining the growing chasm between the staunchly pro-Israel right and rising anti-Israel and pro-Hamas sentiment on the left.
The National Task Force to Combat Antisemitism is dedicated to combating “the recent wave of antisemitism in America and worldwide,” according to the Wednesday announcement by the Heritage Foundation.
“The coalition will identify, highlight, and combat the malicious groups behind antisemitic activity while working to bolster Americans’ physical safety, religious liberty, civil society, and vital interests abroad, particularly relations with the state of Israel,” said the statement.
In addition to Heritage, the coalition’s founding members are the America First Policy Institute, Coalition for Jewish Values, Concerned Women for America, Family Research Council, In Defense of Christians, Independent Women’s Forum, Latino Coalition for Israel, National Association of Scholars, Philos Project, Regent University, and the Steamboat Institute.
“There is no place for antisemitism in our society, and this task force is committed to doing its part to root out this evil,” said James Carafano, senior counselor to Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts and E.W. Richardson fellow, in a statement.
The groups joined forces in reaction to the Oct. 7 attack on Israeli civilians by Hamas, which prompted Israel to declare war. Pro-Palestinian student groups and others celebrated the massacre, while U.S. antisemitic incidents spiked by 400%.
“Following the savage attack by Hamas against Israel, the world has witnessed an increasing number of acts of hatred against Jews,” Mr. Carafano said. “We are coming together as a coalition to take action and combat antisemitism.”
The coalition adopted a statement of purpose at its first meeting Monday that affirmed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism, which is opposed by many left-wing and pro-Palestinian advocates who say it has been used to chill legitimate criticism of Israel.
The conservative groups also rejected the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and adopted strong statements in support of Israel’s right to exist.
That included a statement declaring that “anti-Zionism and antisemitism are different manifestations of the same hatred against Jewish people.”
Another statement reads: “We recognize the right of the Jewish people to live safely and securely in their ancestral homeland and recognize that modern Israel is essential to that security.”
The IHRA’s antisemitism definition reads: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
According to the IHRA, “criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic,” but that denying Jewish people “their right to self-determination” or holding Israel to standards “not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation” can be considered antisemitic.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.
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