‘Antisemitism has no place in Texas’: Abbott signs bill that will create commission to address antisemitism in Texas

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law on June 16 that will create a commission tasked with combatting antisemitism in Texas.

“Proud to sign HB 3257 into law, creating the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission,” Abbott wrote in a June 16 Twitter post.

According to the Office of the Texas Governor, House Bill (HB) 3257 will establish the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission. The commission will produce a study of antisemitism in Texas every two years, collaborate with higher education institutions to research methods to combat antisemitism and implement education to raise awareness about antisemitism and the Holocaust.

“Antisemitism has no place in Texas, and we have a duty to combat it whenever and however it arises,” Abbott said in a statement. “That is why I am proud to sign House Bill 3257 into law, which will create the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Committee and bolster our efforts to eradicate antisemitism in the Lone Star State. Thank you to the Texas Legislature for your bipartisan effort on this important bill.” 

The announcement comes as the country reels from an increase in crimes and violent acts motivated by antisemitism. Last month, five Jewish groups wrote a letter to President Joe Biden voicing concern over spike in anti-Semitic hate crimes stemming from the violent clashes between Israel and Hamas, USA Today reported.

“As the violence between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, we are witnessing a dangerous and drastic surge in anti-Jewish hate,” Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, said in a statement. “We are tracking acts of harassment, vandalism and violence as well as a torrent of online abuse. It’s happening around the world— from London to Los Angeles, from France to Florida, in big cities like NYC and in small towns, and across every social media platform.”

The recent conflict has exacerbated what was already a growing problem. For 2019, the ADL recorded over 2,100 cases of crimes against Jews, the highest number on record since the tracking began in 1979, NPR News reported.

Muslims in the U.S. have also reported a rise in hate crimes within the past month as a result of the conflict.

Last month, Israel and Hamas fighters agreed to a ceasefire.

At least 230 Palestinians and 13 Israelis died in the conflict.