US Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the recent sharp increase in anti-Semitic rhetoric, vandalism, and violence facing many Jewish communities worldwide, at a meeting with a group of American and European Jewish community leaders in Washington.
Kerry’s participation was part of a roundtable discussion hosted by US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski and Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Ira Forman.
During the discussion at the Department of State, Kerry “reiterated the US government’s deep concern about the prevalence and pervasiveness of anti-Semitic threats and attacks against Jewish individuals, houses of worship, and businesses during the past few months.”
The US government is monitoring reported incidents, reaching out to Jewish leaders to better assess conditions on the ground and working closely through diplomatic channels to encourage governments to speak out against the rise in anti-Semitic threats and violence, and to ensure the security of Jewish communities.
Several other senior State Department officials, including Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Paul Jones, also participated in the meeting.