Staff Reports
Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, a Republican, has taken action to address antisemitism in the state following the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel. He issued Executive Directive Six, which grants greater authority to the Virginia State Police to identify and respond quickly to threats against places of worship and religious communities. Additionally, the directive strengthens safety measures for educational institutions, requiring state colleges to submit updated safety plans to the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety.
It’s refreshing to see a governor taking proactive steps to protect religious communities and ensure their safety. In the wake of the Hamas attacks, concerns about antisemitism have been growing in the Jewish community, and it’s important to address these concerns head-on. Governor Youngkin has rightly recognized the fear and apprehension among these communities and is committed to standing up against hate.
On @CBSMornings, I announced Executive Directive Six to combat threats of violence against Jewish people and other religious communities. Virginia is the birthplace of freedom of religion in America and it is paramount that we protect our houses of worship.https://t.co/nD5ey0V6Xu pic.twitter.com/73aTdYH9Q8
— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) October 31, 2023
This isn’t the first time Governor Youngkin has taken action to combat antisemitism. In January 2022, he established the Commission to Combat Antisemitism through Executive Order Eight. The commission has released a report outlining strategies to fight antisemitism in Virginia.
Furthermore, Governor Youngkin has shown his disapproval of the online event organizing platform Eventbrite due to their selective removal of events. He expressed concerns over Eventbrite’s failure to remove events in support of Hamas while removing an event organized by activist Riley Gaines. This kind of bias is unacceptable when it comes to protecting free expression and combating hatred. It’s commendable that Governor Youngkin has taken a principled stance on this issue and has encouraged others not to use Eventbrite.
Overall, Governor Glenn Youngkin’s response to antisemitism in Virginia demonstrates his commitment to religious freedom and his dedication to protecting all communities in the state. It’s a refreshing change from the divisive and ineffective leadership we’ve seen in the past.
