House Approves Resolutions Addressing Anti-Semitic Attacks in Boulder

On Monday, the House passed two resolutions condemning recent anti-Semitic incidents in Boulder, Colorado. The local Chamber of Commerce is pushing for increased action regarding the targeting of Jewish individuals.

The first resolution, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), received overwhelming support with a vote of 400-0-2. Meanwhile, a second resolution, led by Rep. Gabe Evans (R-Colo.), which prompted some controversy, passed with a vote of 280-113-6, with 113 Republicans opposing it.

Van Drew emphasized, “In the United States, anti-Semitic violence is not ignored or tolerated.” He shared this sentiment on social media after the votes.

While both resolutions garnered bipartisan approval, the one sponsored by Evans drew criticism from some Democrats who expressed frustration over the absence of Boulder’s representative, Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), as a co-sponsor. Additionally, there were disagreements about addressing the immigration status of the suspect, Mohamed Sabri Soliman.

Evans’ resolution also mentioned concerns about the risks associated with individuals from countries that do not meet visa requirements, thanking immigration and customs enforcement for their efforts to protect the nation.

One Democratic lawmaker remarked, “During such times, we should unite to show respect for the victims and denounce anti-Semitism. It shouldn’t be difficult to do the right thing. So, why not join with fellow Republicans in Colorado to support a bipartisan resolution thanking the Boulder Police Department and the FBI? These resolutions shouldn’t be a source of division.”

In response, Neguse, along with other members of Colorado’s legislative delegation, including two Republicans, introduced their own resolution condemning the violent incident last week.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) criticized Evans’ resolution as “not a serious effort.” He questioned Evans’ commitment to combatting anti-Semitism, calling it an embarrassment.

Soliman faces numerous charges, including attempted murder, following an attack on October 7, 2023, where he threw Molotov cocktails at individuals peacefully gathering to advocate for the release of Israeli hostages. He also faces a federal hate crime charge after admitting he had been planning the attack for a year and expressed intentions to harm “all Zionist people.”

After the vote, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) commented on social media, stating she supported Van Drew’s resolution but noted a lack of congressional condemnation for hate crimes against other groups. She articulated her belief that while anti-Semitic crimes are reprehensible, all hate crimes should be recognized. “Congress seems to overlook violence against various groups, creating further division and resentment,” she stated, addressing the broader implications of prioritizing specific groups over others.