Statement on Presidential Executive Order on Antisemitism

January 31, 2025

The Simon Wiesenthal Center welcomes President Trump’s executive order, “Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism,” as a critical step in the fight against the rising wave of antisemitism that has been threatening Jewish communities across the United States.

At a time when Jewish students are being harassed and disenfranchised on campuses, synagogues require armed security, and violent attacks against Jews have surged; this executive order sends a clear and unequivocal message: The United States will not tolerate antisemitism in any form and those who engage in anti-Jewish hate will be subject to prosecution under the fullest extent of the law.

The most crucial aspect of this order is its recognition at the highest levels of government that antisemitism is not a fringe issue—it is a national crisis that demands a whole-of-government response. This section of the executive order bears repeating:

“It shall be the policy of the United States to combat anti-Semitism vigorously, using all available and appropriate legal tools, to prosecute, remove, or otherwise hold to account the perpetrators of unlawful anti-Semitic harassment and violence.”

The federal government has pledged to double down on combating hate and intolerance, but the responsibility does not stop there. Now is the time for every university, every corporation, every community leader, and every individual to take a stand against antisemitism. The question is who will rise to the challenge.

For further information, please email Erik Simon at esimon@wiesenthal.com, Deborah Camiel at dcamiel@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed. 

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).