2
3
4
5
6 Cosponsors:
7 Clare Collard
8 Steve Eliason
9 Steven J. Lund
Carol Spackman Moss
Karen M. Peterson
Stephanie Pitcher
Susan Pulsipher
Jeffrey D. Stenquist
Jordan D. Teuscher
Mike Winder
10
11 LONG TITLE
12 General Description:
13 This resolution condemns antisemitic acts and statements as hateful expressions of
14 intolerance that are contradictory to the values that define the people of the state of
15 Utah.
16 Highlighted Provisions:
17 This resolution:
18 ▸ denounces antisemitism and all hateful speech and violent action that casts blame,
19 promotes racism or discrimination, or harms the state of Utah Jewish community;
20 ▸ highlights Utah's Jewish history; and
21 ▸ calls upon all residents to treat each other with respect.
22 Special Clauses:
23 None
24
25 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
26 WHEREAS, antisemitism is the centuries-old bigotry and form of racism faced by
27 Jewish people simply because they are Jews;
28 WHEREAS, in 2020 the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported a 6 percent increase
29 in reported hate crimes from the previous year, representing the highest total in 12 years, and
30 found that attacks against Jews or Jewish institutions made up nearly 60 percent of all
31 religious-based hate crimes;
32 WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to ensure the safety and security of Jewish
33 communities, including synagogues, schools, cemeteries, and other institutions;
34 WHEREAS, Jews are the targets of antisemitic violence at even higher rates in many
35 other countries than they are in the United States;
36 WHEREAS, antisemitism includes blaming Jews when things go wrong; calling for,
37 aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or
38 extremist view of religion; or making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotyped
39 allegations about Jews;
40 WHEREAS, antisemitism also includes denying the Jewish people their right to
41 self-determination; using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g.,
42 claims of blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis; drawing comparisons of contemporary
43 Israeli policy to that of the Nazis; or holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of
44 Israel;
45 WHEREAS, Jewish people are subject in the media and political campaigns to
46 numerous other dangerous antisemitic myths as well, including that Jews control the United
47 States government or seek global, political, and financial domination, and that Jews are
48 obsessed with money;
49 WHEREAS, the state of Utah is fully committed to the safety, security, and equal
50 treatment of its residents;
51 WHEREAS, each individual has the ability to promote inclusiveness, celebrate
52 diversity, support all fellow community members, and reject hate and bias in all forms;
53 WHEREAS, it is critical that the state of Utah take leadership and stand in solidarity
54 with its Jewish communities to send a message that discriminatory and hate-motivated
55 behavior or violence will not be tolerated;
56 WHEREAS, all persons are encouraged to report any antisemitic incidents to the proper
57 authorities for investigation;
58 WHEREAS, the state of Utah wishes to affirm its commitment to the well-being and
59 safety of its Jewish community members and ensure they know they are not alone and that the
60 state of Utah is committed to ending the spread of all forms of hate and bigotry;
61 WHEREAS, Utah values the history and contribution of its Jewish citizens;
62 WHEREAS, Fannie & Julius Gerson Brooks were the first Jewish family in Utah,
63 having entered the territory in 1853;
64 WHEREAS, in 1866, Utah's first governor, Brigham Young, invited Salt Lake City's
65 Jewish population to use space on Temple Square for Yom Kippur services;
66 WHEREAS, in 1881, the first synagogue in Utah, Temple B'nai Israel, was established
67 in Salt Lake City;
68 WHEREAS, Utah elected the second Jewish governor in the history of the United
69 States, Simon Bamberger, in 1917;
70 WHEREAS, Clarion, Utah was the home of a Jewish agricultural settlement established
71 in 1911 and was home to 300 Jewish families; and
72 WHEREAS, Utah's Jewish citizens have been prominent and essential contributors to
73 the state's artistic, business, cultural, athletic, political, medical, academic, and other successes:
74 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor
75 condemn antisemitic acts and statements as hateful expressions of intolerance that are
76 contradictory to the values that define the people of the state of Utah.
77 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor denounce
78 antisemitism and all hateful speech and violent action that casts blame, promotes racism or
79 discrimination, or harms the state of the Utah Jewish community.
80 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor join with cities,
81 counties, and states across the country in affirming commitment to the safety and well-being of
82 Jewish communities, and in combatting antisemitic crimes.
83 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor will continue
84 efforts to protect residents, targets, and victims of antisemitism, and to prosecute and curb
85 antisemitic acts in partnership with nonprofit organizations and police departments.
86 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor pledge to support
87 the inalienable rights of all people in the community, recognize that all people should be
88 treated with respect, and call upon all residents to treat each other with respect.
89 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge residents to
90 join them in calling attention to these harms and denouncing antisemitism.