HARRISBURG, Pa. — Congresswoman Susan Wild took to the House floor to address recent reports of antisemitic flyers found in neighborhoods across the Lehigh Valley.
After multiple reports of antisemitic flyers distributed by the Goyim Defense League, a national hate group, in the Greater Lehigh Valley came to her attention, Wild spoke on the House floor to condemn antisemitism and call for unity.
Wild emphasized the community — Jewish or otherwise — needs to come together, “united as neighbors,” in order to root out antisemitism and hate which “endangers our fundamental American values.”
- Rep. Susan Wild addressed the presence of a hate group distributing antisemitic flyers in the Greater Lehigh Valley this week
- Wild, along with the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, condemned the groups actions and stressed the importance of unity in the community
- Those who experience antisemitic incidents in the area are encouraged to report them to the JFLV
“This week, horrific, antisemitic flyers were distributed across my district in Pennsylvania," Wild said. "I heard from friends and neighbors who found flyers in their front yards, or on their driveways. These hateful flyers were found in some cases by children.
“It takes all of us, drawing strength and community from one another, to stand up to those who want to divide us. Let’s keep standing together, so that united as neighbors, we can root out the antisemitism and hate that endangers our fundamental American values."Rep. Susan Wild
“I will not show nor repeat the flyers’ disgusting words, because that’s what those who spread hate want: for people to amplify their insidious message, one that is on the rise as the Anti-Defamation League records year-to-year increases in antisemitism.”
The congresswoman acknowledged her “proud Jewish American” heritage but went on to denote the threat extends beyond those who are Jewish, as antisemitism, as well as other forms of bigotry which amplify lies and hate, is a threat to American values as a whole.
“It takes all of us, drawing strength and community from one another, to stand up to those who want to divide us. Let’s keep standing together, so that united as neighbors, we can root out the antisemitism and hate that endangers our fundamental American values.
Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley confronts hatred in the community
Earlier this week, Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley President Robert Wax and Executive Director Jeri Zimmerman issued a statement informing the community of the flyers:
“Antisemitic flyers were distributed by the Goyim Defense League (GDL) in a neighborhood within the Parkland School District. According to the Anti-Defamation League, the GDL is an antisemitic hate group with thousands of online followers. It engages in antisemitic stunts to harass Jews,” the statement reads.
“Local law enforcement and the Secure Community Network (SCN) were notified of the event. SCN is the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America, and it works in partnership with the Jewish Federation. Local law enforcement and SCN confirmed that no specific credible threat has been identified at this time. However, local law enforcement and SCN remain vigilant.”
The Jewish Federation has encouraged anyone who has been subject to antisemitic incident to report them through their organization so they may keep the community updated and secure.
Zimmerman said the JFLV struggled with how to address the issue initially, as shining a light on the organization responsible for spreading hateful messages could increase their visibility,
“We're really troubled by this. The problem is that the Goyim Defense League crave media attention, and so this is one of those difficult situations where you don't want to give them more attention,” Zimmerman said. “On the other hand, we felt our community should be updated about it.”
Threats not credible, but Lehigh Valley is "no place for hate"
Though the threats have been deemed non-credible, Zimmerman said the actions of the hate group are “invasive and disturbing.”
When she was informed of Wild’s statement at the House, Zimmerman concurred with the congresswoman’s concerns.
“The point is while this was viewed as an antisemitic incident, it was also intended to coincide because of what has happened with Juneteenth. So it's antisemitic, it's racist," Zimmerman said. "The group that is responsible for this is a white supremacist group."
According to an Anti-Defamation League report from March 23, 2023, antisemitic incidents hit their highest rate ever recorded in 2022, with a total of 3,697 incidents reported across the country, an increase of 36% compared to 2021 —another record-setting year.
The ADL report notes 111 assaults, 2,298 harassment incidents, and 1,288 incidents of vandalism in 2022. The ADL also notes that antisemitic flyer campaigns increased by 38 percent from 2021.
But Zimmerman remains hopeful the community will fight against the antisemitic, bigoted groups which seek to spread hostile, hateful messages, encouraging people to check out the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism’s Blue Square Initiative, a movement to stand up against Jewish hate.
“We feel that in the Lehigh Valley, there's no place for hate,” Zimmerman said.
In April, antisemitic flyers were found in mailboxes in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in a suburb of Houston. Earlier this month, similar flyers were found stuffed into mailboxes in a neighborhood in Nassau County, Long Island, N.Y.
These flyers also featured a QR code for a website with racist, antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ posts.
