Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued the following statement:

I am horrified by the terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community of Australia celebrating the first night of Hanukkah. Jews should be free to practice their faith in public without fear of the deadly acts of antisemitic hate that are rising in shocking fashion. We mourn deeply with the families of the victims, the Australian Jewish community and all our Jewish brothers and sisters throughout the world. 

It is our collective responsibility to aggressively eradicate the poison of antisemitism whenever and wherever it is found. The perpetrators of this heinous act of terrorism must be swiftly brought to justice to the fullest extent of the law. 

Today, as the Jewish community throughout America gathers with their loved ones to celebrate Hanukkah, the New York Police Department and law enforcement resources across the country must be vigorously deployed to keep everyone safe. It is my sincere hope that the story of Hanukkah and the candles that will shine on windowsills in homes around the world will bring needed light and resolve that the powerful resilience of the Jewish people that has existed for millennia will continue to endure always and forever. 

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