Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has taken a firm stance against anti-Semitism in the wake of the ongoing conflict in Israel. As a Jewish leader, Polis issued a proclamation condemning anti-Semitism and promising to protect the Jewish community in Colorado. The proclamation emphasizes the importance of preserving Colorado as a state that welcomes Jewish people and recognizes their meaningful contributions to society.
Polis’s proclamation comes at a time when incidents of anti-Semitism have been on the rise in the United States. According to an audit by the Anti-Defamation League, anti-Semitic incidents increased by 36% in 2022, marking the third highest recorded number of harassment, vandalism, and assault targeting Jewish people and communities in the past five years. Despite making up just 2.4% of the U.S. population, Jewish people are disproportionately targeted, accounting for 63% of reported religiously motivated hate crimes.
The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas has brought the issue closer to home for Colorado legislators on both sides. The initial attack by Hamas, which resulted in the death of around 1,300 Jewish people, is believed to be the largest number of Jewish people killed in a single day since the Holocaust. In response, Israel has carried out retaliatory strikes that have claimed the lives of around 1,900 people in Palestine.
Governor Polis has condemned the attack on Israel and expressed solidarity with Jewish Coloradans in a statement released with the National Governors Association. His proclamation takes a broader approach by addressing anti-Semitism both domestically and globally. It calls for unity in combating anti-Semitism and reminds Coloradans that hate threatens not only the Jewish community but also the entire state.
More than 100,000 Jewish individuals currently reside in Colorado, making it crucial for the state to take a firm stand against anti-Semitism. Governor Polis has collaborated with Jewish leaders and faith communities to address this issue, culminating in the recent proclamation. The document highlights the need for wider public awareness and denouncement of anti-Semitism, urging Coloradans to speak out against hate whenever they encounter it.
The rise of anti-Semitism underscores the importance of creating an inclusive and safe environment for all Coloradans. Governor Polis’s proclamation serves as a reminder that religious freedom should be protected and that the state must actively work to combat hate in all its forms. By standing against anti-Semitism and supporting the Jewish community, Colorado aims to foster a society that values diversity and respects the contributions of every individual.
In conclusion, Governor Jared Polis’s condemnation of anti-Semitism and commitment to protecting the Jewish community in Colorado comes at a critical time. As incidents of anti-Semitism continue to rise in the United States, Colorado is taking a proactive approach to combat hate and ensure the safety and well-being of its Jewish residents. By issuing a proclamation that emphasizes the importance of unity and denounces hate, Governor Polis is sending a powerful message about Colorado’s commitment to religious freedom and inclusivity.
