Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County), Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Anti-Semitism Task Force, called on the FBI to launch a formal investigation into thehateful flyers that were distributed to homes in Brentwood and Pacific Palisades this past weekend. In a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Rep. Lieu urged the FBI to do more to address the recurrent acts of antisemitism committed in and around Los Angeles County, noting that this week’s incidents were not the first time members of the community have received such flyers.
In conjunction with sending the letter, Rep. Lieu issued the following statement:
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the antisemitic flyers distributed in Brentwood and Pacific Palisades over the weekend. These recent incidents follow a string of antisemitic acts that have shocked and appalled our community. We need the Department of Justice to help local law enforcement track down those responsible for these flyers, and to address the antisemitism that is on the rise here and all over the country. We have to hold perpetrators accountable and prevent these incidents. I stand in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors and urge the FBI to do more to keep our community safe.”
In the letter, Rep. Lieu wrote:
Dear Director Wray:
Thank you for your service. I write to inform you of the recent dissemination of disturbing antisemitic flyers in the Brentwood and Pacific Palisades neighborhoods, which are both located within my congressional district, and to request that the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") launch a formal investigation into this matter.
On August 21, 2022, residents of the Brentwood and Pacific Palisades neighborhoods reported to local law enforcement that they discovered antisemitic flyers at their doorsteps. At this time, it is unclear how many residents and communities have been impacted by this unwarranted act. In recent years, similar incidents have occurred in Beverly Hills, Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica, and other cities across the country.
In December 2019, the Nessah Synagogue, a Persian Jewish congregation in Beverly Hills, was vandalized, resulting in damage to the sanctuary and several Jewish relics. Days later, three Los Angeles Jewish schools were tagged with antisemitic graffiti. According to police reports, a swastika and hateful messages, including the phrase "time to pay," were found spray painted at the American Jewish University in Bel Air, the Westwood Charter School, and Milken Community High School. Similarly, in January 2022, antisemitic fliers were found at seven elementary and middle schools in Santa Monica, prompting an investigation by local law enforcement.
Nationally, there has been an increase in hate crimes. In 2021, there were 7,759 hate crimes reported in the U.S. According to the FBI, the number of incidents was the most in twelve years. I am deeply concerned because if these acts continue to happen without appropriate consequences, they will eventually lead to violence.
As a Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Anti-Semitism Task Force, I am committed to rooting out the kind of intolerance and bigotry that leads to these kinds of hateful acts. I will continue to work with local Jewish leaders, elected officials, and law enforcement to address anti-Semitism in our community.
I understand that you must protect the integrity of any investigation that you may conduct. However, I respectfully request that you update my staff and me on any developments regarding this issue.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this critical matter. I appreciate your work and am willing and able to provide any support or assistance you may need.
Original source can be found here.
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