Sen. Cruz Announces Intention to Introduce Resolution Condemning Anti-Semitism

HOUSTON, Texas - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today appeared on the Ben Shapiro Show where he announced his intention to introduce a resolution condemning anti-Semitism, and discussed his efforts to make it U.S. policy to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Listen to the interview here.

"This was prompted number one, by the repeated anti-Semitic comments we've seen from these new freshman Congresswomen," Sen. Cruz said. "But number two, by the ridiculous paroxysms that House Democrats went into when they were unable to vote out a resolution condemning anti-Semitism. The sad reality is too many in their party have given into the extremes, the left wing anti-Israel bias, [and] the embrace of BDS. Instead they watered it down into a general resolution disclaiming bigotry of any kind and they listed every group they could find in it."

"The resolution I've introduced is straightforward," Sen. Cruz continued. "It defines anti-Semitism as a unique form of prejudice targeted at the Jews. It identifies attacks on Jewish loyalty as a form of anti-Semitism, with a long history going all the way back to the protocols of the elders of Zion. It identifies attacks on Jews livelihood as a form of anti-Semitism, from land prohibition in the Middle Ages, to Nazi destruction of Jewish businesses, to the contemporary BDS movement. And it describes the history of American anti-Semitism. And it's one of the reasons why it is so clear to be unequivocal. My hope is the Senate will do what the House was not able to do. Just take it up and clearly and unequivocally condemn anti-Semitism."

When asked if there were any Democratic senators planning to join the resolution, Sen. Cruz reiterated his hope that the resolution would pass "100 to nothing," and that the Senate would unequivocally condemn anti-Semitism.

They also discussed President Trump's recent announcement regarding the Golan Heights. In February, the Sen. Cruz, along with Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) introduced companion bills establishing that it shall be the policy of the United States to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

"I think the president's announcement about the Golan Heights is incredibly important." Sen. Cruz said. "It is something that I have been urging them to do for many months. I introduced a resolution in December of last year for Congress to recognize the Golan Heights as part of Israel. And then earlier this year, I introduced legislation to mandate that. We've been working hand in hand with the White House, with the National Security Council, and with the administration, urging the president to do what he just did yesterday. I think it is a recognition of reality. The Golan Heights are unquestionably part of Israel today."

Sen. Cruz continued, noting the United States' national security interest in recognizing Israel's sovereignty of the Golan Heights.

"But it is also, a recognition of America's interests," Sen. Cruz said. "Nobody in their right mind would want to see the Golan Heights go back to Syria, [or] would want to see the Golan Heights controlled by Iran or Russia. And this statement--this recognition--I think is vitally important. It is my hope--by the way--that not only does the Senate vote on my resolution condemning anti-Semitism, but I also hope the Senate will take up and vote into law the legislation that I've introduced formally recognizing the Golan Heights as part of Israel to put into the United States' code what the president has recognized as the Chief Executive."

###