Councilman Yitzy Schleifer: Baltimore City Council's Failed Resolution Highlights Persistent Double Standards in Condemning Antisemitism

By BJLife Newsroom
Posted on 02/26/25

Baltimore, MD - Feb. 26, 2025 - Today as the youngest hostages are being laid to rest, old wounds have been reopened. A year ago, I faced one of the most challenging moments of my time in the office. As I sought to condemn the Hamas attack on Israel and the rise of antisemitism here in Baltimore, I was confronted with the unthinkable: this would be the first resolution I’d ever seen fail to pass in the City Council.

I never imagined that something so clear and deeply personal would meet such resistance. Yet, I am reminded of the lessons passed down by our elders about the double standard: what is unacceptable for others is somehow acceptable when it comes to Jews.

After hearing about the horrors my grandparents endured in the Holocaust, I never believed that “Never Again” could happen again. We know history repeats itself, but the idea that the mass slaughter of innocent Jews could occur again seemed unimaginable—until October 7th.

Despite this, many people from all backgrounds have come together in support and solidarity, and to them, I extend my deepest gratitude. To those who have remained silent, I urge you to look around—at what is happening locally, on college campuses, and in the streets—for what it truly is: pure, unfiltered antisemitism and ask yourself, would you remain silent if this was happening to any other people??