Transcripts For CSPAN2 U.S. Commission On International Religious Freedom On Anti-Semitism 20240713

Unless addressed domestic and Global Trends and recommendations for the commission. This is two hours. Good afternoon. Please come and take your seats. We are ready to begin. We are ready to begin our hearing. Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for attending todays hearing on global efforts to counter antisemitism. I would like to thank our distinguished witnesses for joining us to offer their expertise and recommendations and also would like to thank senator mentioned in his office for securing this room for us today. The u. S. Commission on the freedom or religious freedom, is an independent bipartisan u. S. Government advisory by created by the 1998 International Religious freedom act or front. The commission monitors the universe right to freedom of religion or belief abroad. We then make recommendations to congress and the president of the United States and to the secretary of state. Todays will gathered you are considering, houston is exercising Statutory Authority on the law to give me considering. Also very grateful to have with us this afternoon, senator jackie rosen of mata. Shes a tireless advocate working to confront antisemitism in all of its forms. She is also the cochair of the Senate Bipartisan task of course. For combating antisemitism in senator rosen, thank you very much for being here today. And for your commitment to the issue and the floors not yours. Thank you so much for having me and for bringing everybody here today on this very important topic and issues which we are going to talk about. So again i am thinking the u. S. Commission an International Religious freedom for holding the supported hearing. I think all of you and all of the other participants who why not be with us today, for providing crucial insight to this important topic. Im senator jackie rosen, and i am proud to represent the great state of nevada. In the United States senate. What am also incredibly proud to hold the distinction of being the third jewish woman in the United States senate and the first former synagogue president elected to the United States senate. [applause]. Streaming as my synagogue news president , and now streaming as the United States senator, but have been the greatest blessing of live. They been blessings that have allowed me to connect and to serve my community with tradition and commitment for the things that i not only care about what they care about as well. And we can make progress for all of our communities for our country in the nation in the world. Right now though, no issue threatens our progress more than the alarming lives of antisemitism in our country and around the world. Weve seen the rise of antisemitism and political movements across youre up. This is been going on for sometime now now. And i somatic groups, the organizing Political Parties in places like greece, and a great in france. Ive witnessed increasing anti somatic in poland, and the uk. And now, this hatred has reared its ugly head right here at home. In our country. We only have to look at the news to see depraved individuals right here in the United States wanted their dangerous and hateful use. Feeling emboldened to take violent action. Missing all of this and unfortunately, some of us, having been experienced at an inn in charlottesville and synagogues in pittsburgh, and most recently, and a ribeyes home. He was celebrating and lighting live of hanukkah. Its a festival live in the guests there, met with terror and darkness on something that is supposed to illuminate us. The festival of live. These are not isolated incidents. These incidents are part of the dark and dangerous trend. We are all deeply affected by anti somatic violence and ex of hate, is listening entered into, and unfortunately, is it too many dead. Must be ready to act in to to do our part to combat antisemitism. This epidemic has been on the rise since we know, and must be taken seriously. Antisemitism acts of hate, they are growing at an alarming rate. Earlier this year the state department called the rise in antisemitism worse than it has been in decades. As impact go far beyond the Jewish Community. The report to congress, the state department offered this morning. History is shown that we are ever antisemitism has gone unchecked, the persecution of others has been president or not far behind. Defeating antisemitism must be a cause of great importance. Not only for jews, for all people who value humidity and justice. [applause]. Antisemitism is also a direct threat for religious freedom for all people of all faiths across the globe the state is unacceptable and it is something that we must come together to call out and confront headon. We can only tackle this if we do soak together, we do so with a clear purpose. Last year, helped launch the first ever Senate Bipartisan test of course for combating antisemitism. Alongside our counterparts in the house, these bipartisan groups are dedicating themselves to presenting antisemitism before it starts. Together with my cochair, james langford, and over 30 a look senator news both sides of the aisle, 17 democrats and 17 republicans, so far, i am working on getting all of them. We are working together to take on one of the most Disturbing Trends of our time. On a tight semitism and bigotry occur, it is critical that we do not allow ideological or partisan thinking to blur our perspective of what is right and what is wrong. Because combating hate, is always and must always stay a non partisan issue. [applause]. As members of congress, it is our responsibility to our neighbors and to friends and to our children. To eradicate this evil. In this task of course allows us to collaborate with Law Enforcement. Federal agency state and local governments, educators advocates, clergy, and any other stakeholders, to educate and to explain, to empower every Single Community across this nation. To have the tools to combat antisemitism and all other forms of hate. For also looked working, it state Department Special envoy monitoring and committing by some antisemitism. [applause]. In on with us today. [applause]. I was going to tackle these issues you wrote. In the middle east. And around the world trade these are challenging times. In a great darkness, is all of the more important that we been together to the community, a sneak country, and is he congress to hold up our faith and our values a sneak beacon of live that will illuminate our path forward. Allah may seem that the world is in disrepair, i have unwavering faith in the capability of juice, and nonjews alike to do their part to prepare the world to help ben with the world. To take care of one another and to promote religious freedoms, and to diminish eight did so ill call to action, is this to keep educating, keep believing, keep up the fight against hate by encouraging those around us to help repair the world and see the the world leave it a better place than how you found it. For ourselves and for our children and for our future. As we say from generation to generation, this is our call. This is what many must do. And i am proud to have started this day and being a partner with all of you. Thank you. [applause]. Senator rosen thank you. Thank you for being here in your work and we appreciate your time its been with us today. They really set the foundation as we have our first hearing for the year, this is the topic we chose. As you will hear today, from for some of our expert witnesses this information we have been coming through in a echo the senator, this is the issue that affects so many of us. It is you may hear area, the canary in the coming would it comes to religious persecution and we wouldbe negligence, a sneak nation and a sneak commission to ignore what is happening around us. Would i like to recognize commissioner gary bauer for an opening statement. Thank you mr. Chairman. As luck would have it, remarks will building on what i think the senator just said. Its the reason i asked the chair if i can have a moment to express his thought. This is the u. S. Commission on International Religious freedom. So will supposed to focus on what is happening around the world. Seems to me is he little bit of a challenge or that we need to confront. If we are identifying antisemitic problems around the world and not squarely acknowledging what is been happening and the United States. We have witnessed the horror of antisemitism of the tree of live synagogue and hallway. Weve seen antisemitism grow American University campuses. We have watched orthodox jews, being assaulted in the streets of new york city. We heard antisemitic statements right here in the halls of congress. I have watched in horror a sneak christian, is it mainline churches have passed resolutions singling out democratic israel for special condemnation. While ignoring countries like north korea and iran and syria. And they do this in the name of my savior, jesus christ, a sneak christian, that outrage is outrageous me. [applause]. These church bureaucracies, did not speak for americans christians. So i have humble suggestion to make in the centers have already alluded to it. It was not permit in antisemitism to become a political football in the United States. If someone on the right to engage us in antisemitism, those of us on the right, should aggressively confront the individual. As antisemitism comes from the progressive left, the first responsibility to deal with it comes from the leaders of the progressive movement. We should boldly get it out of their movement. If it is in somewhere in america and is teaching the attendings the most to hate jews, then peace loving muslims, to speak up and confront him. And i semitism is he deadly virus and it should have no home anywhere in american cultural or political line pretty thank you mr. Chair print come back thank you commissioner bauer know i recognize the first vice chair, commissioner mansion. Thank you chairpersons and thank you commissioner bauer for your work. I want to join everyone and welcoming those of you to join us here today. We often hear about this resurgence or global uptake in a tight semitism and how things are looking increasingly grim for the Jewish Community and unfortunately, 2019 was sadly no different. The attack on the synagogue and germany during yom kippur, the holiest day on the jewish calendar is arguably the most during incident of violence against the Jewish Community abroad this year. Last year. And we are now in the new year. In the gunman chose attack on yom kippur, knowing, that the number of people in the building wouldbe higher than usual on this holy day. He repeatedly shot at the boers lock and set off an explosive device and but thankfully was unable to breach the building due to the enhanced security measures that the synagogue recently installed. The sad part is that that had to be done. In the United Kingdom several members of the labor party on the leadership of their carbon have made numerous insights somatic comments. And Conspiracy Theory in the spring. To the extent that only seven of the Parliament Members have left the party. In february of 2019, hussey symbols adorn any faith in the Jewish Cemetery in eastern france. The in italy, police are assigned to aroundtheclock guarding of an 89 yearold woman was both a holocaust survivor and the senator in the italian parliament. After she proposed a National Commission to battle hatred and bigotry. On a significant number of incidents, we hear about in the news have occurred you wrote, the truly is he global phenomenon. In argentina, vandals desecrated the Jewish Cemetery with nazi symbols in february. In a separate occurrence, in june, three was shouted antisemitic insults on an argentinian rabbi. Handyman had an album and through him to the ground and trampled his hat. Before the fleet. In kenya, intruders attacked a rabbi and his wife during a rabbi and a jewish in center. Before robbing and stealing many items from that center in april. Eight through antisemitic insults at them and soul many things. In saudi arabia, textbooks and espousing file stereotypes and hatred against jews, continued throughout to be used in schools throughout the country. And in australia, authorities recorded at least two incidents in 2019 of nazi graffiti aimed at intimidating the Jewish Community there. As you can see from just a handful of examples and unfortunately, the storage of antisemitism is alive and well. As varied and wideranging forum in medicine for station. Look forward to hearing the recommendations from our witnesses on how the United States government can better address the rise in antisemitism around the world and how the International Community can more effectively in sure the global Jewish Community can worship freely and that went out fear. Thank you. [applause]. That went out backup, i like to now turn to our panelists. We have experts from around the globe that are with us here today and will very grateful for the time that they have made to join us for this hearing. We vest them to distill their remarks to five to six minutes each because we have a lot of area to cover. Their bios are available, you get a he of that isle that we will handing out as they were coming in because they are certainly experts on this topic. And as moisture mention, we not only want information, our purposes not just to talk about the problem. Although that is a part of our mission. We want to develop the action steps and so what we have asked those that are joining us today to help us in the policy recommendations that we would make. Beginning with the first panel, some is mandate special repertoire and freedom of religion or belief on november 1st, 2016 with United Nations but we are grateful for the work that he has done and he briefed us on a report that we just recently released which in many ways, was a catalyst for the hearing we are having here today. I would recommend that report to you know im certain he will give us an overview of that. Doctor shed thank you so much for being with us today. Thank you. Its an honor for me to be here this afternoon at this very important hearing. I am mandated as counsel to identify existing and emerging obstacles to the enjoyment of the right to freedom and belief. And to examine incidents that night compatible with the provisions in the legal to protect its rights including declaration of this Commission Based on legitimate things. Consequently, i presented my report to the u. S. Assembly on the global phenomena some of antisemitism. And right of freedom and beliefs of jewish persons bundled wide. The report was meant a sneak wakeup call about three frequency of antisemitic incidents and progressiveness which appeared to be increasing. And in several countries, documented online expressions. In the report noted the evidence of an tight semitism attitudes and risk of violence against jewish individuals around the world. Because of time, i want to focus on the the key recommendations that are made in this report. I argue taking human Rights Problem because number one. Its an obligation to protect jewish members. Its not a favor, its right. An obligation to fulfill. That is why argue for human expressed approach. Second, nondiscrimination. All individuals are equal dignity and therefore we have an obligation to defend. Third, although they why not demand sincerity. Jewish members commit attacks, is obligation upon all of us to stand up in support of the person. Infidelity. In the key to what i called for my report include a call to all for working definition of anti senate semitism. And the examples offer valuable guidance. Including for those working in Law Enforcement. One must know what one is trying to protect. A sneak working definition. By the ira. I also argued that the president s responsibility for commission states, including the political and 70s. As such, freedom of belief and having the ability of members of all racism beliefs. And configured openly, legal footing society. Governments must antisemitism threats, for security and antisemitic incidents, our response from leaders. Should be based on upon the commission of the high crimes, and position to respond on International Human rights law. The Committee Also has the rights and ensuring that Broad Coalition approach innovating and combating antisemitism. They can support governments in providing independence expert advice and on the prevalence and mystification of antisemitism. They can play an Important Role in various ways in which an tight semitism can be along with messages on human rights and society at large. In support government jewish communities where and how to report decisions for they also most display themselves, for an tight somatic attitudes. Social Media Companies to protect reports about the seriousness and in service. The must allow for the hate messages and provide more transparency that they have be been. And to offer userfriendly for reporting content. Should also report the antisemitic behavior online to deliver to the agencies including expressions hostility, or violence. And lastly in october, i called the general to pointing a senior loophole person in his live office. His responsibility for engaging in worldwide. Monitoring antisemitism and the threads of the response of the un. In the whole nation. Various entities, of human rights, and the advisor on intervention. And similarly join of action of an tight semitism and forms of pay. For my part, i use my mandate to raise and look at the recommendations in my report. And in my report, antisemitism is he combine of hate. It is the first to suffer, and we must respond to it printed my final comment is protected human rights approach. U. S. Focus on protection but also on prevention. Thank you very much. [applause]. Thank you doctor shaheed. Im sure some of our commissions or commissioners have questions. Have a question about your report as we often know. Report reports and recommendations are just one step final or journey. How is the journey going in terms of the implementation of your recommendations. However the been received by the un. At associated countries. Thank you chair. They did report was an very well received by the un system but they also want to thank the jewish communities worldwide support the work i did. And also for respondents to report which ensured that why not reject that report. In december, i am looking forward to seeing how the actors will have see the various elements in it. A followup in this work by presenting it by the members making sure that to identify steps and report back on the outcome. I hope to come back in a year or two years time, the political and to show what has been taken by steps. Since for and asked the un to avoid focal. On the subject. An reporting for other countries and others what they are doing. In the definition, and in tackling antisemitism and textbooks. Thank you. Say moisture, nadine. Summa is always a pleasure to have you. Will always encouraged by your knowledge of the sisters. You serve our mandate is to make recommendation to our own policies. My guess question wouldbe if United States focus on one or two things the front steps because you made so many great recommendations, what would would you recommend and we start. A. Thank you very much. I want to focus both on the u. S. Domestic situation and the role a sneak world leader. Domestic context i think wouldbe important to ensure that the mechanism substance, there are reporting systems in place. That underreporting is he serious challenge therefore defined the reporting. Also it also means a better understanding antisemitic hate crimes. Both of those. The global loophole, but again stress important u. S. Consulate and supporting my call to have the un avoid focal. To monitor. And secondly, i also think the u. S. Can support the state for more of the idea of embracing whether the working definitions, the definitions of encompassing by important in understanding how an tight semitism to fund raise, and unless we understood it, we wouldnt be about to actually act against that. So those are my innate initial comments. And supported by the u. S. , is the u. S. Does cover globally, freedom or human rights of globally and in doing so, has attention to how specific in the context antisemitism. One example wouldbe how the textbooks the general media, art disseminated of these. Thank you commissioner jenni moore. I should just begin by telling you that we hear your name. All of the time. In our meetings with various countries and there are always talking about your recommendations and the implementation of your recommendation so a sneak commission we are indebted to your very very good work. I also understand the you are part of the solution and not part of the problem within this context. However there is for me a bit of irony to hear that your mandate came from the un acr. These i think it is the prevailing view of a lot of us that watch these issues. That they are notorious for providing a shield and aiding and abetting tight semitism through his pervasive consistent and it can amen why not be hyperbolic with the insight zionism with an unhcr and what is your perspective on how your responsibility is been aided or embedded by the very agency that the Commission Support and the one thing that we are very cognizant of is is it too often around the world, or Public Relations statements made by governments and nonprofit organizations and agencies in order to keep off of problems and in one of our mandate says to make sure that the furnace is turned up and not down and so there is change. As i like your perspective on this. Thinker mesh. I take it that you mean human rights council. Its mecca and not even official. My full time job is an academic at the new university is pro bono to produce and the officials are on the road. But my addition to choose this topic of an tight semitism for a number of reasons. One of course is that a we have failed in the system. We have 58 minutes. In the jewish communities. There beneficiary of the video first thousands of communications. The second is, this that i hold, has origins in response to academic 50 years ago. Thus even begin to look at this. But somehow the un moving forward, for me its really back home to where it all began. The desire to challenge this antisemitism. I understand the un has gone cheap mentioned house. And their parts of it of which are antisemitic. Item seven is he problem. And it is used to advise israel, in many ways and it also perhaps undermines part of the un which may have a genuine desire for the subject. Its doing good work now. On the education and combating antisemitism. Gets brought up a few times of the year. So my. Is that i can take composed of many parts. Very different shapes and incidents. Would we tune understand that you can use some parts of it to to an advantage. And it can contain the from is important to have a good. A good focal. And it can be deport him also of his role. In the un must step up more. Combat antisemitism as a special envoy he advises the secretary of state and is responsible for directing u. S. Policy and projects aimed at countering antisemitism throughout the world and you can look at the bio. We are grateful for him to be here today and look forward to your remarks. [applause] speak of [inaudible] good afternoon. Thank you for your important efforts in the clouds of International Religious freedom and antisemitism and for holding both today. Im honored to be with you and i value the opportunity to discuss old work combating antisemitism. In light of recent attacks in jersey city, germany and other locations around the world, the timing of the hearing could be more significant. Only 75 years since the relentless evil of antisemitism continues its global rise mutating into new forms and spreading with speed into new technologies. We are seeing jews vilified and attacked both overseas and right here at home. They recently released a survey that included 14 European Countries but the surveys key findings is roughly one out of every four residents of the countries fall into the most antisemitic category, meaning that they subscribe to a majority of the antisemitic stereotypes in the index. We also see the education the cnn polled attitudes towards jews 34 of those surveyed are they said they knew just a little or had never heard of the holocaust. The statistics are not much better in the United States we must condemn this hatred anywhere and everywhere it occurs. Antisemitism is a barometer of human suffering. President trump calls it a poison because they have brought it to their core. It rarely ends there and i want to thank the senator for making those dangerous so clear in her opening remarks. The antizionist and militant islamists. All three are dangerous and must be combated we are familiar with the dangers from the far right. We are also observing a rise in the socalled new antisenators that cloaks itself in the language of antizionism. At this time targeted a instead of in the community. The same kind of medieval now targeting israel so too with the ageold economic boycott conspiracy theories were persisted as double standard and also when the jewish state not applied to any other country in the world that is antisemitic. Secretary of state pompeo stated this bigotry has taken on an insidious new form in the guise of antizionism dont get me wrong criticizing the policy is an acceptable thing to do, its what we do. Criticizing the rights of israel tright of israelto exist is not. The International Holocaust remembrance working definition of it is semitism has been a game changer. They encourage all countries to do so. The working definition identified as traditional and contemporary forms of vandalism and the demanin the samanta thef state have been using it for some time and now with President Trumps recent executive order, the United States has embraced the definition of large. With regards to israel, the working definition equates the following was antisemitism, targeting state conceived as a jewish collective, denying the jewish people the right to selfdetermination, for example by claiming that the existence of the state of israel as a racist endeavor, the flying double standard by requiring the behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation using the symbols and Images Associated with classic in antisemitism to characterize and drawing comparisons to that of the nazis were holding them collectively responsible for actions in the state of israel. In addition to encouraging countries around the world to adopt and implement the definition, please allow me to share some of my top priorities. One, urging governments to provide Adequate Security for the jewish populations in the Jewish Community assets. Security must be a top priority because when people do not feel safe, and when they do not feel their children are safe, there is no quality of life. Number two, ensuring countries properly investigate prosecute and appropriately punish hate crimes and misdemeanor crimes must be addressed because they are often the best opportunities to intervene. From textbooks used in their schools teaching innocent children to hate other children his mass child abuse and to it creates catocreate the damage ts difficult to repair. For, confrontinfour, confronting hate speech on social media let me be clear its been the chief of the disease. The stakes couldnt be higher but i want to stress that there is much good news to be celebrated, and i want to close on this. First, there are many leaders around the world who are genuinely appalled by the rising antisemitism and are committed to this site. Some are heads of government and some are ministers, some parliamentarians, some appointed antisemitism and one whom i want to commend today is the un special freedom of religion and belief whose work ive been praising around the world. I am convinced through the collective and coordinated efforts we can make substantial gains in our fight against antisemitism. Since my appointment nearly one year ago, i visited ten countries and engaged both literally and multilaterally with foreign governments. Ive also met with jewish communities and Civil Society organizations, the work of our partners around the world has already yielded important results. The second piece of good news is that they have selfdetermination in their homeland. They are strong and its a beacon of democracy. The strength helps to make the people strong and better able to confront antisemitism and all of its forms. Even leftbrace recent events now its led President Trump and his team are committing batting antisemitism to protect around the world and support the state of israel. With friends and allies working together shoulder to shoulder and arm in arm we can show that a just and decent world that they so richly deserve. Thank you so much, and i welcome your questions. [applause] let me ask a question before i recognize the commissioners. You address some of the sources, you identified as a former prosecutor you are looking for motives and we have seen this rise in your opinion what is the motive that is their . They are different for each of the ideological camps. Interestingly enough, mr. Chairman, these three camps when you think of the far right, the radical, antizionist left and militant, these are three ideological groups that should hate each other more than they hate anything else on earth when you look at the ideology yet they are united by their hatred of the jewish people than i would argue also that the fundamental incompatibility of their values with everything on which the United States was built and frankly on which the just democracies around the world were built so the motivations might be different but the methods are the same. And im troubled to say that the dark web is worse. I had a meeting about this and you cannot believe the veil of protection recorded these people through the dark chat rooms. They would never dream of allowing our kids to wonder escorted i the neighborhoods of crime and drugs they are being sucked into this vortex of internet chat rooms and fights this dot href jews and everybody and they feed off of this for years and they become radicalized and turned towards violence. This is something that has to be addressed because it is a key component of the problem and the last thing that i will say as a former prosecutor, and i have handled hate crimes. We would never close the case without requiring to undergo the Tolerance Program or a skinhead who shoplift a beer. Why would you ever indicate case without requiring that a person to undergo the Tolerance Program . s wife had the privilege of sitting down with prosecution and lawenforcement leaders in jersey city, new york and now by the way also in germany i met with prosecutors and justice officials from supper at german states to coordinate the efforts and specifically to talk about dealing with hate crimes even when the conduct is very low level because if we intervene early in an alienated angry kids life, not only are we protecting the Jewish Community from future violence, but we are getting the best thing we could do for that young man. I commend you for the work that youre doing. To get into an area of the American Foreign policy that you might not want to so forgive me if i make it uncomfortable but iran has been in the news for a while lately and this struck me that in addition to the other controversy if an item of the reason for the existence to promise a second holocaust and the only government that regularly uses of Government Resources to bring tens of thousands of people into the street to chant death to the jews or israel. And yet it seems to me that everything from corporations looking towards the countries to make trade deals, theres always there isalways a great deal of resistance about iran, and isnt this the perfect example of how people get lip service to antisemitism, but they are not willing to ever call out a very, an issue with power that is getting more powerful than the threats of the Nuclear Weapons someday when antisemitism appears to be one of the reasons they exist . Thank yo thank you and i couldnt agree with you more. Irairan isnt only the leading state sponsor of terrorism, it is the chief trafficker in antisemitism, theyv they haved antisemitic dogma throughout the middle east and the muslim world beyond. And when one looks at violence against jews in western europe, much of what comes from the radicalized Muslim Community, you have to look back at iran that is responsible for so much antisemitic than throughout the world come and look, what happens in the middle east doesnt stay in the middle east. What happens in the middle east directly affects the u. S. College campus. Antisemitism isnt ancillary to the ideology of the Islamic Republic of iran. It is a central foundational component of the ideology of that regime. We have to be clear about it and confront it and call it out for what it is. How is it possible to talk about protecting jews of fighting antisemitism when there is a refusal to designate. Then protecting jews seems to be a goal that isnt achieved, and i thank you for the question and shedding light on this. Its a critical component of what iran is doing and weve got to confront it. We feared that dark underside and doesnt go into this new decade, are there any ideas on how we go about attacking in some way limiting or blocking and what are the ideas in moving forward that we start combating this force thats out there. Thank you for that question. It is a vexing challenge because we dont want to trespass on the amendment. I was part of that meeting. First of all, antisemitic speech very often violates the terms of use of the site and platforms. So, we should be encouraging not censorship, but these platforms to enforce their own terms. Why wouldnt they, they should enforce the terms of use. We should work with them to help them do that. Second of all, exposure. We have got to expose what is being traffickethis beingtraffi. Americans have no idea what is going on. I believe it or not the neonazi far right focused on africanamerican communities to turn africanamericans against jews. They hide their identities and they are putting forth materials specifically meant to poison africanamerican and jewish relations. People have to understand whats being done and how focused it is. There are malign actors that are actively working utilizing the internet third, incitement of violence is not protected in the First Amendment. The First Amendment protections the United States should be coming down like a ton of bricks on that speech. We should say okay once you cross the line, thats it and we are absolutely going there. That is not an encroachment on the First Amendment. Those will go a long way to addressing the problem. Youve already touched o on this about 50 you feeabit 50 you feeh companies in this country are utilizing the fullness of the resources to address this problem coming out of the reason why is because it seems as if Silicon Valley can make anything happen it is a place where miracles happen. And anyone that is a public figure automatically sees all these things. I know a number of evangelical leaders across america but for the subject a couple of days ago and threats these things everywhere so you wonder are these Tech Companies really paying attention and really working on this problem. I would never paint them with a broad brush and Different Companies are doing Different Things and implementing different measures. My impression is that there is a growing awareness that this is a problem that has to be dealt with. I am not advocating policy or legislation here, however, i think there is a growing realization in the world that the leadership of the country and or policymakers understand that something has to be done. So i have Seen Real Movement here and a willingness to take on this problem. Weve got to give it time and see and work with these companies to support them and make sure that they understand we want to let them have the space to take care of this problem, that is very important. I look forward to doing that and again we had a very productive meeting in new york with several of these very prominent companies. I look forward to going into the area meeting with the mayor. Ive already had those conversations, and i am encouraged by the movement we are seeing. It is not sufficient to this point, but we are moving in the right direction. Thank you for making the time to be here with us today. We appreciate [applause] thank you to all of you for your work. We are going to transition to the third panel for the expert witnesses. I wa would introduce them as thy come up. Professor of holocaust studies at Emory University in atlanta. [applause] we also have sharon, the Senior Vice President International Affairs and heads the work of fighting antisemitism and racial hatred globally including in europe, latin america and the middle east. And then the ambassador who is the chair of islamic studies at the American University here in washington, d. C. , grateful for all of them as well as Rabbi Abraham Cooper who is the associate dean director of social action agenda. We are glad to have him with us today as well so we will begin with deborah making her opening comments and then we will go down the line, and the commissioners they have questions. Thank you to the commission and to the chair of the commission for holding on this very important gathering. Recently, a well educated accomplished when the ceo for fortune five 500 company was present when i was giving a talk to a small group of antisemitism. He listened intently and when it came time for questions, he said to me jews are so smart and accomplished. How is it that they have not been able to solve this problem . This question was sincere but i pointed out it was directed in the wrong direction. He should be asking the perpetrator. This past sunday i marched across the Brooklyn Bridge. That was unexpected. I marched across the Brooklyn Bridge standing next to a woman who carried a sign. When i thank her for being the there, she said its our problem more than its your problem and she was right but its the victim who bleeds. Suffice it to say antisemitism is a problem for all of us. There is no easy solution to antisemitism because it is a prejudice and prejudice is irrational. Think of the word prejudice pre judge. Ive made up my mind, dont confuse me with the facts. The person may be two blocks away buaway but this to a type n front of us. That doesnt mean members of a particular group cant be people who do bad things. Thats when one person or even a small group from a Minority Group or a particular group does something wrong and then people say they are all like that, we have moved into the realm of prejudice. Antisemitism is a prejudice and shares many of the characteristics for racism and homophobia on the other prejudices if you are a muslim, it is different also. First of all, it is a Conspiracy Theory. Conspiracy theorists find culprits to blame for something that they find threatening or bothersome. The conspiracy theorists reject logic so if you were to explain that your rationality of antisemitism to a conspiracy theorist, they would just blow you off. They arent interested in logic. They are prejudice, and thats how they look at things. Second, antisemitism is unlike other prejudices because it comes from the right and from the left. Usually it only come only comesm onesided. But here this is the one place where the right and the left, far right and far left exist in perfect and happy harmony. Third, antisemitism is different than racism. The racist plunges down and looks at the person of color, whomever they may be, whatever color they may be emphasized they are not as capable as us. If their children go to our schools, if they moved into our neighborhood, there goes the neighborhood. In contrast, the antisemite punches up. The jews are more powerful than us, richer than us. They not only have to be hated but they have to be feared and when you put that together with the Conspiracy Theory, you have a toxic group. Simply put, antisemitism makes people stupid. Its delusional. Think about it, the antisemite says last time i checked you cant be both at the same time. They stick together, the antisemite says they always want to live in neighborhoods where they are not wanted schools into groups and clubs. You cannot be pushing into other groups at the same time, but thats logic and antisemitism is not something random. Its not dislike being a jew. I dislike a lot of jews. [laughter] [inaudible] you are going to make me compare with baptists. Dont do that. Afterwards we will have a drink that i dont know if that is allowed. [laughter] is antisemitism is not disliking a jew. Its disliking someone because they are. It is persistent, it has a structure and a template. It began as antijudaism, that as christianity differentiated itself from another religion when they are two religions but particularly so closely connected, but it quickly migrated out of the confines of the church and out of the confines of religion to the opposite end of the spectrum to karl marx who hated old religion, but if you read what he wrote about shoes it sounds like the words of an antisemitic church father. The nazis, genesis they all were saying the same things, left, right, center, it didnt matter. One of the most widely known antisemitic sources easily available with special envoys is the particle easily available on amazon in many different iterations. Publications that began having nothing to do with jews than within the hands of czarist russia. They changed the culprit from someone else and it has maintained itself as a bestseller. Henry ford distributed half a million copies in the early decades of the previous century, and despite the fact that its been exposed and its available today in french and german and arabic and in an array of other languages, Holocaust Denial. Holocaust denial is not only counter to history, it is a dubious distinction of being the best documented genocide in the world. For the deniers to the right, who would have to be wrong, the victim, the bystanders who watch the trains going into the tenth day after day of the shooting sites. Thousands of historians would either be in on the hoax or nuked and the perpetrators themselves i and not one war crimes trial since the end of world war ii, not just in turn meant that any one of nationality as the perpetrator says it didnt happen. I didnt do it, i was only following orders, but no not it didnt happen. What will the deniers tell you, they did this wide, to get reparations, to work for money, part of the antisemitic template, to get government to force the allies to have hearings in a room for they were so powerful, money, power, conspiracy, the antisemitic template. As youve heard before, today we see antisemitism on the right. Right. The seated on the left, we see it from islamist extremists, we see it from atheists always relying on the same things. Ultimately, i believe on some level and it is a sad thing to say tonight why did i write about it and i teach about it and lecture, but antisemitism can be described as a herpes disease. If you kno know herpes until recently there was no way of curing it if you had it. Have it. You were under pressure. The bride wakes up on the morning of her wedding with a golden sword and the person who gets an outbreak before the big interview, it was always there and it came out and so too with antisemitism. It takes many different forms and persists. What then can we do about it . We can can simply throw up ours in defeat. We must understand it and its history. We must call about. Youve heard some good suggestions from the previous people testified. We must challenge it and take it seriously. We must never let it overwhelm us. The cost of doing so is too great, and we must act now. Later will be too late. Thank you very much. [applause] thank you. Thank you very much and thank you for holding this hearing and for inviting us to testify today. Since 1913, the position has been to stop the defamation and the jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. I lead the International Affairs division to seek to promote the security of jewish communities abroad, fighting antisemitism, bigotry and prejudice and working with partners around the world using programs and resources regarding hate crimes, cyber hate and antibiased education. Regrettably, the work and or expertise on antisemitism and hate is more current and urgent than ever in the u. S. And around the globe. In the u. S. , our comprehensive annual audit of antisemitic incidents found tha that antisemitic assaults doubled in the u. S. In 2018 and that the number of victims of such assaults tripled. Given the daily reports of the antisemitic attacks in 2019, along with the deadly violence on the jersey city and others, we know 2019 will be one of the most violent years of antisemitic incidents we have witnessed. In addition, they seek to combat efforts to attack or delegitimize the jewish state and call out when such cross the line into antisemitism. In europe, we urge the governments tgovernment to suppe security of local church can give you 56 jewish communities to address potential threats and hold perpetrators of attacks fully accountable. In latin america and europe, we support communities and train students to stand up against antisemitism and antiisraels lander and in the broader middle east, we name and shame government that enable antisemitism as an official textbook. I have personal experience in understanding the fear and isolation that extremists can afflict the vulnerable communities and religious minorities having left iran as a child to lea leave the antisemc oppression of the dictatorship, the global antisemitism crisis is a concern for religious freedom. I think one of the signs that the march was referred to this sunday said it best if you need a Security Guard to practice your religion, and you dont have freedom of religion. Jews are often the First Community when its under threat. Weve been expelled from entire countries and suffered a massive atrocities of the holocaust. Today antisemitic incidents often take the form of attacks against jewish institutions were worshipers. We see ban see bands on kosher l slaughter, ritual circumcision that make it impossible for observing communities to remain. Jews and many European Countries are now even reportedly in oakland are fearful of wearing religious garb, stars of david or other visible signs that they are jewish. Antisemitism is also a powerful driver of terrorism. As we saw in buenos aires and paris, but ernest attacks. Unfortunately, we have data to attest to the trends both in antisemitic incidents and public attitudes. The latest data from france shows that 76 increase in these incidents in the first half of 2019. In the uk come antisemitic incidents are at their highest ever, and in the german capital of berlin, there are on average to antisemitic incidents per day. As for attitudes, they pulled the Public Opinion about the jewish people in 18 countries where the jewish populations are significant. In the 12 countries surveyed as well as ukraine and russia at least one in four respondents agreed with the majority of antisemitic stereotypes tested. Just as antisemitic incidents can affect a sense of security for the jewish communities, so do governmental and societal responses. For example, the know hates no fierce solidarity march that we just refer to that it was a cosponsor of sent a powerful signal that tens of thousands of people will stand up against antisemitism. More importantly, governments need to be engaged and proactive. Before a small Jewish Community and germany have asked for police protection. The local police did not respond, so they were not there when the White Supremacists opened fire. Only following that attack did the interior gather statelevel counterparts to develop the template plan against extremism. In this planet was simply too late. Theyre in action have led to loss of life. A member of my team was there when the shooting took place, and worked with the local jewish communities to support those that were targeted. Adl along with the Central Welfare board of jew board of jy provided funds to establish the Psychological Health hotline for victims and the community. It can be an important voice in urging the government to take proactive steps in bitter fighting antisemitism. Governments should be urged to provide robust Political Leadership to assure targeted communities by speaking out against manifestation of antisemitism and others scapegoating. They should utilize the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism to provide educational guidance for Law Enforcement, teachers and community leaders. To improve the public reporting on antisemitic incidents as well as other forms of hate violence and discrimination. They should ensure the governments have specific senior officials tap into this and to do the same for all forms of hate and this is a very important recommendation that we can really follow up on. They should indicate Crime Prevention and response training into the wall education. This is something that they do in the u. S. We are the largest trainer of Law Enforcement, fbi, homeland security, this can be done internationally. All lawenforcement should be expected to offer hate crime trainings. Work closely with local jewish communities to address issues of concern including security and freedom of worship. The jewish communities are the frontline. They know what is going on in the communities. This should be very direct access between governments and the jewish communities to know what are the solutions that they need and the support that they need. In short School Curriculum address the holocaust, modernday antisemitism and antibiased training. Many countries have laws mandating holocaust education. These should be implemented. There should be funding for that and that is something that can play an Important Role as well. Vigorously combat violent extremist groups that attack jews or other communities regardless of whether such emerge from the right of the left, religious or ethnic communities and has said before. And ensure social Media Companies enforce robust terms of service against cyber hate including the particular forms in which antisummit this manifest as was referred to earlier. We are happy to host the Media Companies and we are [inaudible] there are and portend conversations to be had. Thank you for having us. We look forward to your questions and anything else i can help you with. Thank you. [applause] thank you. Ambassador. Thank you mr. Chairman. I would like to thank the commission for inviting me to this very important session. I would especially like to thank my friend. Antisemitism to me is like a poisonous fall of that disappears altogether. At times it begins to lift that we know that somewhere is working and im saying this because for the last three to four decades, ive been personally involved in fighting the bigotry. I would request im bringing a different kind of experience. First, the commissioner and running the study called a very light sleeper, the persistence and the dangers of antisemiti antisemitism. This consisted of some very eminent jewish and british scholars although there were ideas of the jewish history, working on this project opened my eyes to the extraordinary story of the jewish peoples. Through the terrible persecution and genocide, the suffering, the communities remain steadfast. Not only was our understanding of jewish history and culture a lot of the times i was very ignorant and therefore appreciating my knowledge opening but noting that so much of the abuse and attacks on the Jewish Community had a familiar ring as i saw been happening to my own communities. I believe anyone interested in the talk of antisemitism off to read a very light sleeper. Ive given some references and i hope that they will be consulted for the same purpose. The exercise got me to understand better another phenomenon based in hatred that concerns africans by a community. Commonly referred to as islam abu via. The landmark study produced emerged from the earlier study on antisemitism. 1999 i was invited to deliver the lecture on the uk at the famous st. Johns synagogue. Again, this was an event historic and broke the ice between the two communities. After 9 11, i was part of the first abraham summit initiated by the senior rabbi. The hebrew congregation and episcopal washington. The rabbi, the bishop had myself visited houses of worship and ie universities, think tanks and media including the bbc. I had the honor of speaking at the Holocaust Museum in washington, d. C. And experienced the removing. I was also troubled that a lot of people including my own community were not aware that this was a fashionable american museum, it was a Jewish Organization meant to propagate or use. Fullstop again. People didnt understand it as something that is american and to my mind that should be compulsory in terms of education especially for the younger generations. I became a member of the coalition on mosques which has challenged after 9 11. I worked for the muslim jewish council. This work has created a great deal of goodwill among muslims for the Jewish Community. My friend whose son was tragically killed in an act to include antisemitism, we traveled the world promoting dialogue to improve understanding. We traveled all over the world and spoke in the house of lords in london and an event hosted by the jewish. A powerful and successful develop the relations with the scholar appointed doctor founder director for the first incentive of the study of the relations of cambridge. Phd from cambridge university, significant for wimbledon burgess and therefore checking antisemitism by involving women and their families, First Time Ever to happen on the ground. So, what are the lessons i learned i want to briefly offer a few points and give some ideas on how to move ahead. Very often people who are interested might have ethnic reasons, political reasons sir jimmy most were coming from the sense of no knowledge and that has allowed all kinds of vision of the Jewish Community. I think its vital that the scholars especially the jewish scholars and rabbis and i must say ive been deeply impressed by the rabbis and the privilege of meeting some of the most outstanding on this planet and impressed by their learning and their compassion and of course i have one rabbi sitting on my right. I also found that in the dialogue they very often in all three traditions its vital if you want to build bridges. He initiated this and very quickly found the Jewish Community and Muslim Community had a lot of complaints about each other and by the second and third week they were talking about Shopping Trips and all sorts of dynamics. There was a lot in common. Also i find that the dialogs should be visible and frank very often. We try to be good to each other and kind of each other. Theres a lot that is wrong in the jewish and Muslim Community and other communities which we must confront because antisemitism as someone used the expression, we have to understand and as a victim or patient of this treatable disease you really need to understand to be able to attack it and i dont think it is being done. The next point, i noticed you had a terrible incident and we got the usual reaction. I ran large parts of the tribal areas. Guards and patrols are not going to change minds. The featurthat featured will re. [applause] you need to dream and to challenge the hearts of people and where its coming from. That will happen and can happen in some of the steps ive taken a. A. The media must be involved. The media we complain about a terrible source of confusion and hatred we heard the ambassador talking about. But it can also be documentaries, the platform can be used to promote dialogue and friendship. One of the most powerful symbols happened in terms of the dialogue when the rabbi walked across the stage with a synagogue at the congregation during the dialogue and kissed me on both cheeks and the suddenly you have a huge audience the first time just after 9 11 seeing a muslim and a rabbi embracing. I could see how they congregated towards each other. Now i want to conclude by saying that ive heard this phrase never again. At the Holocaust Museum i repeated it again and again and im sorry to say we must not be complacent in this. We say never again if nothing happens. The government, the distinguished people running this, you must make sure when we say never again we need never again because it is happening, anand listened to some may not e happening on a vast case it is happening too frequently and for me that is very alarming. We have one person killed but is too many again and again in pittsburgh, new york, today, tomorrow, here were there we cannot accept it. We must not say never again and not seen it. We must mean it. In conclusion in the highly complex and interconnected world wthat we live, we must Work Together to bring down the temperature. The violence and hatred must not be the new normal. Its a model obligation of american leaders regardless of party and other affiliations to preserve the noble vision of the Founding Fathers of this great nation at the heart of the vision lies the jeffersonian religious hatred, bigotry and violence against minorities are unacceptable. They are unacceptable because they are immoral and unameric unamerican. Over the years ive been most impressed and senator rosen cited this. I dont think she was afraid [inaudible] this phrase i learned from my friend it is i think something that we all as a civilization into the 21st century must use christian, muslims, jews. We need to know that the world needs healing and we will Work Together shoulder to shoulder to call out and hell and look at the world it is in such a mess and inflames. Theres nothing more powerful to me than this particular image. And let me say that it goes my own tradition in which scholars it means peace with all. [applause] thank you, rabbi cooper. Thank you. First come on behalf of the 400,000 members, i want to commend the senator and threw the chair, chairman perkins for being right here in the senate at a time of a broken topical conversation in our country, and through cspan and hightech sending out a message to our elected officials on both sides it shouldnt only be antisemitism we would rather start with it in order to try to rediscover a sense why we are really here and a type of bipartisanship and when we can, nonpartisanship, so i commend across the board politically, religiously, for you, you dont know me very well that used to be very worried when a rabbi starts by saying something nice about you. [laughter] so, let me make also with permission to comments on some of the important issues raised previously. On the monday morning after the mass murders in new zealand, i received a phone call from the senior official from facebook that said rabbi, great news for you. Weve already removed 1. 5 million copies of the light streaming of the mass murders that took place in new zealand, and i said i thought you were calling me for a different reason, to tell me that facebook and twitter were going to take the lead if necessary and eliminating Live Streaming altogether. If that meant as we have seen sense, that every other shooter sent us the camera up on their helmet or their hat and have tried to mimic this horrific plan. I had a plan called digital terrorism and hate. I asked my grandchildren, but this is last years report. We will be back to washington march 5 for the 2020 report. We are being too kind to the social media giants. Ive had many meetings with them and i enjoy putting out a report card. We actually created them. Theyve done some great things but this isnt the time for more conversation. I think that commissioner moore saimorrisadded, they create thet incredible opportunities for all of us technologically into the short answer to the complicated question, can they do more, much, much more. They know they can come and they need to be managed. So i would suggest for starters thafirst workersthat perhaps thg with you take place in california. Up in Silicon Valley you can always use los angeles. Secondly, yesterday we were host to secretary pompeos plan in los angeles to speak with a very large Persian American Community and he had a addition to the museum of tolerance in the press conference. During the press conference, the rabbi and i think both of them brought up the issue with the fact that it is a state policy of iran in promoting Holocaust Denial. So when perhaps the first iterations of this took place 20, 30, 40 years ago we would say thats really terrible, the victims feel horrible, you are killing people who died again. It really is terrible hate speech. We are way beyond that. For the iranian regime, the denial of the holocaust is a precursor to planning the next genocide. These are estates which is on the verge of getting a Nuclear Weapon but even without it, all of us in a sense are hostage lookinour hostagelooking at thee last few days, bringing the world the way to the brink of another. So, what everyone has said here come it starts with antisemitism and it never ends. When you dont deal with that, for example, germany wont call out for Holocaust Denial. Its not just maybe a clever move on them for their economic interest, but it is a huge price to pay, part of which we are seeing right now where Holocaust Denial becomes a live wire. That came out yesterday during a press conference where we were all holding our breath and we know now no american lives were lost. So, for my presentation this morning, and i think it is a good move that you took the clergymen last and give them a four minutes instead of the five or six registered. But with the focus on the four countries in europe. Back in 2010. Was deemed unfixed for trial by french authorities. So he was let go, free to attack again. He paid the ultimate price. Believe it or not, this time the killer was released after six months. Being mentally unfit and in january of 20020, and no one has a clue where he is. The center released top ten 2019, antisemitic and anti israel incidents a few weeks ago. Number four, was the release of another murderer. Murder of a beautiful french jewish kindergarten teacher. Sara hurry me. It was attacked in her own apartment then flung to her death by an assailant who by his own admission, was chanting chronic techs. He was recently released because he had smoked pot before the attack. Yesterday, are actually on sunday, fresh jews and not others, outraged and fearful citizens took to the streets of paris to protest this outrage. In 2015, another muslim part history of mental illness, was deemed unfit to stand tribal of the stabbings jews in marseille. Initially released to posted for him to be jailed for four years. This french policy, of ultimate appeasement of murderous antisemitism traces back to a deal was deemed mentally unfit to stand trial. He was stabbed a jew to death. Had no prior history of mental illness. Commissioners, is the french that is expose itself again and again is unwilling and unfit to protect french jury from violent antisemitism even would Law Enforcement doesnt job. Left unchanged, such despicable policies in danger all jews in france, immersive placing of france on your tier two watch list. Sweden, honey 81st anniversary of the november 9th the night of broken glass, would german synagogues will torched by the nazis, todays nazis have stickers shaped like yellow stars on multiple jewish sites in swedish and denmark. In denmark their prices placed on private ryan residencies. In jewish tombstones they were vandalized. This and those same stars will across the sweden including in the capital where the jewish cafe, near the synagogue, and the hill school world targeted. Most will jewish buildings, the city of more where jewish women will stabbed and severely injured last year. There will also dissipated. In an jewish mother whose sensor kids to the hills school in stockholm. She declined to give her name in an interview with the following. It is very sad that it is so pretty that perhaps it is something that may make sense sometimes think about moving to another country where it wouldbe easier to be fully who we are. Nearly ten years ago, the center placed a travel advisory on swedens Third Largest city to failing to deal with incessant antisemitic incidents against its rabbi and small julie Jewish Community. Three little for the Government News recent announcement that it will give a grant to better protect Jewish Committee community facilities. That may be is it too late. The many reports the number of jews in the city has rapidly decreased in the last 20 years and that the City News Community might disappear entirely. Local jewish person was described his experience in the city this past somber staying, uncertainty means that you why not go to school with a visible scar start of david because then theres a high risk of being threatened or if someone follow us you from the school, or even of being beaten. The Swedish National council for Crime Prevention, reported a record high of 280 antisemitic incidents jump from 53 percent over the last corner. All jews make up no more than one fifth of 1 percent of swedens population, or the 4 percent of the symptoms incidences targets jews. Acting group chief and preliminary investigations leader, has the Stockholm Police crime group said police need to do more. To understand jewish culture. Want to know how clueless they are. It was the same swedish beliefs gave permission to neonazis to rally in the square named in memory of rachel that directly across from stockholm news main synagogue. They failed to protect its jewish citizens and institutions has failed to hold antisemite accountable for their actions in both public and private sectors. Including edits came and respected hospital. Swedens should be placed in the commissions to watch list. German officials against antisemitism are not always match mike consistent broadbased actions. Weve heard about the description of young before and what happened on the synagogue and la only a miracle saved dozens of jews from the bullets of the neonazi gunman. Has a student prayer. Two other innocent people thereby how will jews but deserve to be remembered today, werent so lucky. They were killed by the gunman. Antisemitism in germany is searching and only to the extreme right, recently after i met with the mayor of Berlin Company or is it is really assaulted in the streets of the most important city in central youre up maybe in all of youre up, his crime, speaking hebrew in public. Jewish kids have been bit bullying in schools, the recent center and others have been urging merkel and the mayor of berlin to declare a terrorist organization and this would get them off from the Financial Support they enjoy from supporters in germany and make it harder for them to further spread their hatred of jews among young muslims in that country. To day, unfortunately they refused ensuring that germanys Jewish Community be further endangered. We therefore call the commission different germany on your watchlist. Finally, england, days before the uks last election, our center listed the Labor Party News number one. But in a very crowded field of 2019, top antisemites. Thankfully he resigned after historic defeat. Of his authority and antisemitism, he allowed to be unleashed within the labor party. Clitoral in his political demise. Tragically however, the injection of antisemitism another mainstream of Englands National political and social discourse, will have long Lasting Impact ugly antisemitic hate crimes have continued daily since election day. And given the close historic links between our two countries and cultures, it is important that the commission carefully analyze the Current Situation and consider placing the uk on its watchlist as well. In closing, the center urges the commissions to expand its consultations and a special envoy on car, and to perhaps convene a future hearing in 20 2020. Of any european capital. It is an important statement by us americans and i think there will Strong Enough and have enough moral backbone to know we will be suffering the backlash immediately by staying that im going to quote you the ideal system does to six of the u. S. Wouldnt you test the atlantic. We are crossing the atlantic because of the admission of the problem. We have some solutions. Thank you. [applause]. Thank you by uber and we have discussed that a sneak possibility for the commission. I know theres some commissioners i have some questions and i will just state at the beginning that we have exceeded our time. Our posted time for hearing today which was to indent three but because of the content here in the opportunity we have with such distinguished panelists, im going allow each of the commissioners that would like to ask a question i will start room commissioner bauer. Thank you mr. Chairman. Rabbi think a phone call that just came in was probably the investor of swinger friends. [laughter]. Or england wanted to give some input on our vote. [laughter]. I dont have a question because will running late in time but i will tell you that i will be during one to promise publicly that the Commission Meeting we will making decisions on this that i will move to do exactly what you suggest and we will see how the vote goes pretty. [applause]. She was going to report in the phone call. [laughter]. Think youll and so helpful and informative for us to hear all of your perspectives printed investor, im curious by your interface work. If you received hostility for that and how you. That went out going forward. Thank you for asking that question. I received a lot of hostility as you can a nudge in. Both in the United States and youre up. After 911 at the groundbreaking work in the rabbi in the bishop. In emails and miscarried on however, on the Positive Side of live. And i also saw in fact the selectmen stage. He said look at the audience huge audiences look up that only be about 10 percent muslim. I was thinking them a chance. And then 15 and 20 than 30 percent and that will change things. Because unless you get the community involved, and talk to them, have a dialogue, if you listen to them, the understanding your problems. Nothing is really going to change. And i tried to create that dynamic to change things. So i think anyone involved in this, has to understand the challenges from their own community. Limit to you, some invite rabbi friends admission friends also said the same thing. They also face resistance of their own communities. In a carryon because it is more than just a job. A nine to five contraction you are taking produce a belief in a political mature. My daughter, is ugly here with us today. Would she became the first ever director of the only Jewish Center in the world. She was a lot of this hate mail and people ringing up and staying year this nonsense. And she read me. I was in america. She said poppe would do you advise. And i said look in the kitchen. We will facing ignorance. Remember your primary is to see the world as through the lens of compassion and love. Which we have commanded his muslims. God news constantly tells us to reach out and engage. Enough of the people interpret lee that differently than we have to challenge that. Thats what drives us. We must remember this. Compassion which is really the heart about judaism as far as i can understand of christianity and islamic, that is at the heart of these great things. [applause]. Thank you investor. And i want to think all of our panelists and all of our witnesses, but we have heard here today, there is certainly a consistent thread that has been woven throughout the testimony today this is he shared problem. And it must result in shared responsible action. It begins with each of us in various communities of speaking to the need of this but also the recognition that was addressed here today repeatedly. This has brought a problem just for the Jewish Community. If anything, there are at the tip of the spear. And what we see happening globally, to the Jewish Community, it is something that will affect every religious community in every part of the world. We will responsibility of the leading nation a sneak commission that oversees and promotes religious freedom globally to address this issue even though that has been some resistance and even to us making up this issue. But i want all of our panelists and witnesses here that of experience set to know that today we express great appreciation to each of you and your respective areas of expertise in bringing attention to this issue and continuing to address this issue and a sneak commission come i think i speak on behalf of all the commissioners and staying that we look forward to working with you and others that are addressing this issue going forward. So thank you very much. Thank all of you for being here. [applause]. [background sounds] [background sounds] thats will be in order. For 40 years cspan2 has been providing america unfiltered coverage of congress, the white house, the supreme court, and Public Policy events from washington dc and around the country. So you can make up your own mind. Created by cable in 19799. Cspan2 has brought to you by local cable or satellite provider. Cspan2, your unfiltered view of government. Campaign 2020, watch our continuing coverage of the president ial candidates on the campaign trail. Make up your mind. A sneak vetting begins next month, watch our live coverage at the Iowa Caucuses on monday, february 3rd, cspan2 News Campaign 2020. Your unfiltered view of