New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is adamant that antisemitism isn’t experiencing a “rise” in the United States, but rather an “unmasking.”
Speaking at a town hall style event in Livingston, NJ, the potential 2016 Republican presidential candidate said, “I don’t necessarily believe in this country that we’ve seen a rise in anti-Semitism. I think what we’ve seen is an unmasking of it. It’s been there. It’s been hidden.”
Christie explained that although the level of hatred has not increased, certain events have brought the issue to light. “I think we’ve seen it through hateful attacks in France and in Belgium and other places,” he said, adding, “I think we’ve unmasked it here in the United States in certain cases and we have to take a stand against it very sharply.”
Christie continued to stress that the United States has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to discrimination against any group of people. “This country really has no room whatsoever for any type of intolerance,” he said. “I think it’s important for all of us to speak strongly and forcefully anytime we see discrimination against any group of people.”
