The Washington D.C. Council on April 5 passed its first-ever condemnation of antisemitism in the District.
The resolution was introduced by Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau and worked on closely by the ADL, the AJC and the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington.
“While I am always proud when the Council comes together in support of a measure”, Nadeau said in an email. “I am sickened by the fact that, in 2022, we need a Sense of the Council Resolution condemning antisemitism.”
Antisemitic incidents are at a historic high nationally, according to the ADL. The organization’s 2020 “Audit of Antisemitism” found that The District had the 13th highest number of antisemitic incidents reported in the country. Nadeau hopes that the approving the resolution will be the first steps in addressing the growing problem.
The resolution read, in part: “The District of Columbia’s officials and institutions can play a powerful role in promoting the values of tolerance and pluralism and in protecting citizens from acts of hate and bigotry motivated by discriminatory animus, including antisemitism.”
“We know that antisemitism continues to persist in the United States, and the District is no exception,” Nadeau said. “It’s my hope that by expressing our condemnation of antisemitism, we are providing reassurance to the Jewish community here in the District that the DC Council stands with them, and we will not tolerate hatred or bigotry in our community.
“Today marks a critical and historic step forward in our work to combat antisemitism in Washington, D.C and beyond,” said Meredith R. Weisel, regional director of ADL Washington D.C., in a press release. “This resolution makes the important statement that antisemitism, as well as hate and bigotry of all forms, have no place in our society. We greatly appreciate the Council’s commitment to this matter and look forward to our continued work together.”
