The Riverside County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution denouncing acts of antisemitism and religious bigotry in all its forms. And it affirmed its support of and solidarity with the Jewish community against anti-Jewish bigotry.

Supervisors Manuel Perez (4th District) and Karen Spiegel (2nd District) brought the resolution forward at the Nov. 1 meeting. He referred to the recent incident where someone hung antisemitic banners over the 405 Freeway and demonstrated with Nazi salutes. Perez then mentioned that “something similar has occurred in the 4th District and in Temecula a few months back …

“This just incites violence against Jewish people,” Perez stressed and mentioned a recent Anti-Defamation League comment about this being “an all-time high in antisemitic incidents in the U.S.”

In her remarks, Spiegel mentioned that her mother-in-law’s father had been taken from his home in Germany on Kristallnacht (Nov. 9-10, 1938) and died in a camp. The Holocaust, which began when the Nazi party took command of Germany in 1933, did not end until Germany was defeated in 1945. During this period, millions of Jews throughout Europe were killed.

“It’s important to speak out and to say such acts are not tolerated and we stand up for human rights,” Perez emphasized. “We use our voice to educate and work to stop antisemitism.

“I believe we all have a light we can share. A light that can dispel darkness and hate. We can use our light to stand up and to root out hatred, bigotry and prejudice.” He continued, “In Riverside County, we stand for inclusion and diversity. In this county with folk of many different diversities, religions and backgrounds, everyone should feel safe, respected, and live together in peace.”