Rep. Brad Schneider Decries Antisemitism and Bondi Beach Shooting on House Floor

The Enduring Fight Against Antisemitism

• 💡 Congressman Brad Schneider invokes the story of Moses and the burning bush to symbolize the current moment of rising antisemitism, calling for colleagues to stand together and declare, "Heni, I'm here."
• 🕎 He draws a parallel to the Maccabees' resistance against King Antiochus, highlighting Hanukkah's celebration of reclaiming Jewish identity and the miracle of a small vial of oil burning for eight days as a metaphor for individual light overcoming darkness.

Antisemitism as a National Cancer

• ⚠️ The attack on Bondi Beach is described not as unpredictable, but as a predictable outcome of a growing cancer of antisemitism that the Jewish community in Australia had warned about.
• 🌍 This cancer is not isolated to Australia, with rising antisemitism seen across the United States, targeting Jewish people for their identity and their connection to global Jewish communities.

The Power of Unity and Individual Action

• 🤝 Schneider emphasizes the principle, "If I am not for myself, who will be? But if I'm only for myself, what am I?" and the crucial follow-up, "If not now, when?" to urge immediate collective action.
• 🗣️ He calls for a clear and simple condemnation of antisemitism from all sides and for ensuring the security of Jewish communities worldwide.
• ✅ The core fight is for the fundamental right of everyone to practice their faith, gather in community, and live free from fear, a principle that transcends any specific religious or ethnic group.