Columbia Standard

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin met with members of the Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs (JACPAC) to discuss U.S.-Israel relations and antisemitism. JACPAC is a national organization that supports issues aligned with Jewish values, including strong U.S.-Israel relations, combating antisemitism, reproductive rights, gun violence prevention, and the separation of religion and state.

Following the meeting, Durbin issued a statement: “After yesterday’s committee hearing on antisemitism, I’m grateful to meet with Jewish leaders in my office today. The surge in threats and violence against Jewish Americans after Hamas’s horrific October 2023 attack in Israel is deeply disturbing. Hateful rhetoric and threats have no place in our country, no matter the ideology or person it stems from—even if from the powerful people in our nation."

Durbin continued: “I will continue to condemn hate in all its forms, and I encourage the Trump Administration to reverse course on its attacks against the rule of law and democratic norms intrinsically linked with the rights and safety of Jewish people, including their shameful downsizing of offices responsible for litigating cases of discrimination.”

The meeting followed a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on combating antisemitism on college campuses. During this hearing, Durbin highlighted his ongoing condemnation of hate-fueled violence and noted an increase in antisemitism since Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. He also pointed out challenges faced by the Office for Civil Rights due to recent actions by the Trump Administration.