Assemblyman Gary Schaer has introduced legislation rebuking the White House for issuing an International Holocaust Remembrance Day statement that failed to mention Jews or the anti-Semitism that led to the Nazi genocide.

“It’s unconscionable that the leader of the United States of America – a nation that was founded on the principles of religious freedom, justice, tolerance and human rights – would purposely fail to remember and condemn one of the worst atrocities in recorded history perpetuated against a people who observed a particular religious belief,” said Schaer (D-Passaic/Bergen). “The Holocaust was about exterminating Jewish people. It’s disturbing that President Trump failed to acknowledge that basic fact, but New Jersey condemns anti-Semitism in all its forms.”

The resolution (AR-213) – introduced Monday – would be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to Trump, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, each member of Congress elected from this state and to prominent leaders of the Jewish community in New Jersey.

“We cannot look askance at anti-Semitism and coded anti-Semitic language,” Schaer said. “President Trump’s actions here were inexcusable and inexplicable. The excuses coming from the White House don’t clear things up. In fact, they heightened the concern. The Holocaust was about Nazi genocide against the Jewish people. That is an inescapable fact that must be acknowledged.”