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Doug Emhoff Addresses Antisemitism During Paris Visit
During his visit to Paris, Doug Emhoff addresses the rising tide of antisemitism, emphasizing the need for unity and understanding. His speech highlights the importance of combating hate and promoting tolerance in today’s society.
Doug Emhoff’s Visit to Paris Amid Rising Antisemitism
This week, as Vice President Kamala Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff, touched down in Paris, the spotlight was not only on the upcoming Summer Olympics but also on a pressing issue that weighs heavily on his heart. Emhoff engaged with champion sprinter Noah Lyles, witnessed the U.S. men’s basketball team stage a thrilling comeback against Serbia, and is set to lead the American presidential delegation at the closing ceremony this Sunday.
However, beyond the Olympic festivities, Mr. Emhoff dedicated a significant part of his visit to addressing the alarming rise of antisemitism in the United States and across the globe—a matter that has become increasingly personal for him following the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas in October.
“It is a poison coursing through the veins of democracy and democratic ideals,” Mr. Emhoff remarked on Friday during a poignant commemoration of a tragic 1982 attack on a renowned Jewish deli in Paris. That horrific incident resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including two Americans, and left 22 others injured.
In a heartfelt declaration, he stated, “Part of fighting hate is living openly and proudly as a Jew and celebrating our faith and our culture.” As helicopters buzzed overhead, a reminder of the stringent security measures imposed in France during the Olympics, he added, “I love being Jewish, and I love the joy that comes with being Jewish. And I’m not going to let anyone tell me how to be Jewish.”
In recent months, Mr. Emhoff has emerged as a prominent and visible advocate for combating antisemitism within the Biden administration. He has hosted discussions with Jewish leaders at the White House, labeled former President Donald J. Trump “a known antisemite,” and drawn upon his own faith to provide solace to Jewish Americans grappling with the emotional aftermath of the October 7 Hamas-led assault on Israel.
Additionally, as the spouse of a presidential candidate, Emhoff attended a private fundraising event in Paris for Ms. Harris’s campaign. However, he refrained from making any direct references to her presidential ambitions during his public engagements, including a casual lunch at the famous L’As du Falafel, where he was surrounded by a throng of journalists.