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