Jewish Federations of North America applaud the House Energy and Commerce Committee for its overwhelming 50-0 vote in passing the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which now moves on to a full House vote. 

Jewish Federations submitted a letter of support of the bill on Tuesday. 

“Our community understands that social media is a major driver of the rise in antisemitism, and that TikTok is the worst offender by far,” the letter said. 

“Antisemitism is a threat not just to the Jewish community but to all Americans. A society that cannot control the virus of antisemitism soon finds itself facing existential threats to the very fabric of civic life.”

The horrific October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel sparked a 336% rise in antisemitism, according to the Anti-Defamation League. The Jewish community understands that social media is a major driver of the rise in antisemitism, and that TikTok is the worst offender by far. In just one year, antisemitic comments on TikTok rose 912 percent.   

TikTok’s parent company is beholden to the Chinese government, which has squarely positioned itself against Israel since October 7th. China has filled its state-controlled media and social media channels with antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric.

This national security bill, which does not ban TikTok, offers our president the tools necessary to protect American citizens’ personal data from being used by foreign adversaries, particularly TikTok.

We urge both the House and Senate to pass this bill. A society that can’t control the virus of antisemitism from spreading through a social media platform will soon find itself facing existential threats to the very fabric of civic life. That’s why Congress must act now.

Take action now, and tell your member of Congress to support the bill’s passage by clicking here.