Faith leaders and elected officials from around the Kansas City area gathered June 3 to denounce the rise in antisemitism prompted by the recent conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
“Antisemitism is anti-democratic, anti-American, anti-human and thus has no place in our society,” said the Rev. Bob Hill, minister emeritus of Community Christian Church. “Antisemitic rhetoric and the violence it inspires is unpatriotic and utterly unholy and cannot be countenanced in any organization or by any community.”
He added that he stood “with my Jewish brothers and sisters as they experience, yet again, another assault on their dignity and their humanity.”
Hill was one of several speakers at the news conference, which was held at the Jewish Community Center.
Among the Kansas elected officials present — joined by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-Kansas City) and other local politicians — were Assistant Secretary of State Catherine Gunsalus and state Sen. Ethan Corson (D-Prairie Village), who is Jewish.
Also in attendance was the Rev. Vernon Howard, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City and senior pastor of St. Mark’s Church in Kansas City, Missouri.
The news conference came in the wake of a reported spike in antisemitic acts amid Israel’s 11-day conflict with Hamas.
The nonprofit Secure Community Network, a homeland security and safety initiative of the organized Jewish community in North America, late last month reported an 80% increase in antisemitic acts, fueled in part by disinformation on social media.
Despite the cases of hate against Jews, Corson said the support provided by the wide range of speakers at the event gave him “a real sense of hope.” Kansas lawmakers, Corson said, operate from the viewpoint that “our region is at our best when everyone feels welcome.”
Gunsalus said the gathering at the campus was a stand against those who want to normalize hatred against Jews.
“We must continue to stand boldly against those who promote hatred and violence against Jews,” she said.
