At the Virginia Summit to Combat Antisemitism in Norfolk, protesters shouted offensive slogans at program organizers and attendees; the organizers said in a release last Tuesday.
The summit had been organized as an opportunity for community leaders and decision-makers to help Jewish communities in the United States address surges in antisemitism.
What was screamed at the protesters?
The protesters reportedly yelled at Combat Antisemitism Movement staff, "Shame on you!," "You are all murderers!", "Israel is a terrorist state!", "You all support genocide!"
Protesters reportedly used megaphones to blast their comments at CAM staff and attendees who passed by while also calling them murderers and supporters of genocide.
The group said the protest not only highlighted the importance of the Summit and underscored the urgent need for concerted efforts to prevent and combat antisemitism in all its forms.
CAM’s CEO, Sacha Roytman, was at the protest and experienced firsthand antisemitism.
“After being accosted and verbally assaulted by protesters, I felt vulnerable and angry that those same words targeted at us are the same ones that too many Jews face daily. The goal of CAM’s Summit to Combat Antisemitism in Virginia was to address the alarming rise in antisemitism across the commonwealth of Virginia; however, the protest serves as a reminder that there is still much more work to be done," Roytman told The Jerusalem Post. We must remain committed to fighting antisemitism and creating a safer and inclusive society where no Jews should fear and endure such hatred.”