B’nai B’rith International released a statement on Thursday expressing surprise and disappointment at President Joe Biden's omission of addressing the increasing threat of antisemitism in the country during his State of the Union speech.
The organization, through its president Seth J. Riklin and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin, acknowledged President Biden's strong backing of Israel's right to combat Hamas, while opposing any ceasefire agreement allowing Hamas to rearm.
The group stated that as long as Hamas is in power, Israel will lack security and the region will be devoid of peace. They also called for the immediate release of the remaining 134 hostages held by Hamas.
The statement criticized the continued captivity of babies, children, women, and men, 153 days after being abducted by Hamas terrorists. It emphasized the urgency of eliminating Hamas as a military force and ensuring they have no future influence in Gaza.
The organization urged President Biden to uphold a Trump-era executive order combating antisemitism and requested the establishment of a domestic antisemitism czar, in addition to the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism.
While expressing support for several of President Biden's positions, including negotiations on Medicare-covered drugs and strengthening Social Security, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act, B’nai B’rith also backed his approaches to dealing with Iran and the bipartisan resolution to the border issue.
The statement highlighted former hostage Mia Schem and the families of nearly 17 hostages still held captive in Gaza, who were in attendance during President Biden's State of the Union address. The presence of these individuals was deemed as a meaningful way to draw attention to the hostages’ plight and to emphasize that Hamas initiated the conflict.
The organization commended members of Congress who wore yellow ribbons and dog tags in honor of those still held captive by Hamas, serving as a powerful reminder that those captured have not been forgotten.
B’nai B’rith reiterated its commitment to calling on the president and other elected leaders to speak out against antisemitism and advocate for policies that enhance the security and prosperity of Israel in the coming year.
