BY MOSHE HILL OPINION COLUMNS OCTOBER 30 2024
In the course of the last year, there have been a number of politicians, pundits, and celebrities who have earned fame and notoriety on the back of speaking about Israel, Gaza, and the Jewish community. Some, like John Fetterman and Ritchie Torres, earned it by being staunch defenders of Israel. Others, like Candace Owens, earned it by attacking Israel. All stood out because they were aberrations from what was expected from people on their political side of the aisle. What we hear less about are those who are taking strong moral stances and becoming leaders within the expected political party. One of those leaders is New York Congressman Anthony D’Esposito.
Congressman D’Esposito had an enormous burden to shoulder in the wake of the October 7 attack. He is the Representative for the largest religious Jewish population in the country. All other Jewish communities are split between multiple representatives, but since he has the Five Towns, West Hempstead, Oceanside, and other Orthodox Jewish communities in his district, he is actually representing more religious Jews than any other.
He stepped up to the task masterfully. Immediately after October 7, protests erupted around the country in support of the Hamas attack, with people chanting genocidal slogans in the streets. While the First Amendment does allow for such rhetoric, the House of Representatives can still condemn it. On October 21, Congressman D’Esposito introduced House Resolution 883, “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the slogan, ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ is antisemitic and its use must be condemned.” The Resolution passed, with 43 Democrats voting against it.
The Congressman introduced the “Define to Defeat Act” of 2024, which sought to use the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) definition of anti-Semitism in Federal anti-discrimination training. While this did not get brought up for a vote, it was included in other pieces of legislation D’Esposito worked on that did.
Congressman D’Esposito was the original co-sponsor (meaning he helped the sponsor craft the bill) on a number of Acts and Resolutions that passed in the House (but unfortunately did not continue to the Democratic-controlled Senate). This includes the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023, No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act, and the Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords Act. He also co-sponsored resolutions that passed, like Condemning Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel, Condemning rape and sexual violence committed by Hamas in its war against Israel, Reaffirming the State of Israel’s right to exist, Calling on Hamas to immediately release hostages taken during October 2023 attack on Israel, and Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists.
D’Esposito did not just introduce and vote for all of these bills and resolutions; he showed up on behalf of his constituency in numerous other forums. He was on the front lines at Columbia University during the widespread campus protests. He accused Columbia of fostering anti-Semitism, urged donor to withhold donations, and demanded that Columbia repay the hundreds of thousands of dollars in NYPD costs associated with the “tentifada.” He even held a commencement for Columbia students who were forced to miss their own graduation because of Columbia’s actions.
When The Nassau County Legislature was debating and voting for the Mask Transparency Act, a law that would criminalize wearing a mask for the purposes of concealing identity from the police, D’Esposito spoke in favor of it. He opened the public remarks section of the hearing, citing flag burnings at Union Station and violence on educational campuses as evidence of the increasing threat. “This county has seen a startling rise in anti-Israel, anti-American protests,” D’Esposito stated, adding that “these protesters are bad actors who burn the American flag while proudly brandishing Hamas and Hezbollah banners while hiding behind masks.”
Speaking at the October 7 commemoration, D’Esposito once again led the charge. “We are here 365 days after the gruesome, heinous attacks by a terrorist organization in Israel,” he said, capturing the lingering pain and horror of the attacks. He starkly reminded the crowd of the crimes that were committed by Hamas, saying that “they raped, they murdered, they beheaded babies.” D’Esposito’s speech emphasized the urgent need for leadership, calling for the U.S. to stand resolutely against terror. “There has never been a time where we need leadership more than right now,” he asserted, highlighting the importance of funding law enforcement, supporting Israel militarily, and countering “terrorist sympathizers.”
These are just the public events that receive media attention. Congressman D’Esposito has appeared in synagogues so often that he was practically called up for an aliyah on Simchas Torah! In West Hempstead alone (where I am from), he has appeared at the Chabad of West Hempstead, the home of the former President of Anshei Shalom, the Orenbuch home for their giant Menorah lighting, and was the first sitting Member of Congress to speak in the Young Israel of West Hempstead in its 70-year history. He shows up.
Congressman D’Esposito has earned the Jewish vote of Nassau County, and with our support, will continue to fight for our community for many years to come.
Early voting is open now, and make sure you and everyone you know votes by November 5.
