New York City Council Introduces Wiesenthal Resolution Calling on Creation of FBI Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism

March 3, 2020

A resolution calling for the creation of an FBI special taskforce to address the distressing spike of anti-Semitic hate crimes—including on the streets of New York – has been introduced in the New York City Council. Resolution 1259, was introduced by Council members Keith Powers and Chaim Deutsch and calls on President Trump to establish the taskforce.

This is part of  a nationwide campaign spearheaded by the Simon Wiesenthal Center across the country, including Chicago and Los Angeles. 

“With the Jewish community still reeling with a spike in anti-Semitic hate crimes, and with evidence mounting that Nazis and other extremists are using internet technologies to organize and promote violent hate, we are grateful that the City Council of New York, is adding its voice urging the creation of a special FBI special taskforce on anti-Semitism,” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean, Director Global Social Action Agenda, Simon Wiesenthal Center.

NYC Councilman Chaim Deutsch whose district includes some of the attacks on Jews declared: "I joined with Councilman Keith Powers to call upon President Donald Trump to convene an anti-Semitism task force to address the epidemic of hate against Jews on a national level. In the wake of particularly violent instances including deadly shootings in Poway, Pittsburgh, and Jersey City, a stabbing in Monsey, and frequent attacks on the streets of Brooklyn – it is clear that a stronger, centralized approach is needed. I thank Keith Powers for his leadership on this resolution, as well as the Simon Wiesenthal Center for its national initiative," Councilman Deutsch concluded.

L- R NY City Council member Keith Powers, Rabbi Cooper, NY City Council member Chaim Deutsch

The creation of the task force is based on the efforts that were taken when, after several African-American churches were victims of arson attacks in 1995 and 1996, the co-ordination between law enforcement officials on all levels of government, eventually led to an increase of safety for these houses of worship. In New York alone, there was recently bomb threats against 18 Jewish Community Centers across the state, and last year saw the largest reported spike in anti-Semitic hate crimes in decades.

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The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization numbering over 400.000 members. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).