Sen. Schumer denounces hate crimes against Jewish people while protestors demand cease-fire in Gaza

Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D – NY) took to the Senate floor to decry the rise of hate crimes against Jewish people in an emotional address Wednesday.

"Today, I come to the floor to speak on a subject of great importance: the rise of antisemitism in America. I feel compelled to speak because I'm the highest ranking Jewish elected official in America. In fact, the highest ranking Jewish elected official ever in American history. And I have noticed a significant disparity between how Jewish people regard the rise of antisemitism, and how many of my non-Jewish friends regard it. To us, the Jewish people, the rise of antisemitism is a crisis — a five-alarm fire that must be extinguished."  

The senator acknowledged that many Palestinians have suffered too and expressed sympathy for the Palestinian people killed and suffering in the conflict.

Schumer asked Israel to minimize civilian casualties. He also criticized Hamas for knowingly putting Palestinian civilians in danger by hiding among them.

Meanwhile, there were protests at Schumer’s offices across the state, including his headquarters in Peekskill Wednesday morning. Demonstrators were calling for Schumer to facilitate a quick and permanent cease-fire in Gaza.