Biden on spike in antisemitic attacks: ‘They must stop’

President Biden on Friday condemned the recent rise in antisemitic attacks, calling for them to stop.

“These attacks are despicable, unconscionable, un-American, and they must stop. I will not allow our fellow Americans to be intimidated or attacked because of who they are or the faith they practice,” Biden said in a statement. 

“We cannot allow the toxic combination of hatred, dangerous lies, and conspiracy theories to put our fellow Americans at risk,” he added. 

Biden mentioned recent attacks targeting the Jewish community: a brick thrown through the window of a business in Manhattan and a swastika carved into the door of a synagogue in Salt Lake City.

He noted that Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on Thursday that the Justice Department will be taking steps to combat hate crimes.

“In recent days, we have seen that no community is immune. We must all stand together to silence these terrible and terrifying echoes of the worst chapters in world history, and pledge to give hate no safe harbor,” the president said. 

May is Jewish American Heritage Month, which the president noted. 

“Let us all take up that work and create a nation that stands for, and stands up for, the dignity and safety of all of our people,” he said. 

The Anti-Defamation League says it has seen a 75 percent surge in antisemitic attacks in the past two weeks. 

Democratic lawmakers and outside groups have pushed for more from the president, calling for him to take more steps to stop antisemitism. The White House said this week Biden has been in constant contact with the Jewish community to offer his support.