Fight Against Antisemitism, Religious Bigotry Aim Of Youngkin's Order

VIRGINIA — Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an emergency directive Tuesday to combat anti-religious and ethnic-based bigotry in response to a massive increase in antisemitic threats across the Commonwealth and on Virginia college campuses.

Executive Directive Six puts the Virginia Fusion Center at the Department of State Police on a heightened state so the staff can quickly identify and respond to threats at houses of worship and in faith-based communities.

"We're issuing an executive directive this morning that first calls on our law enforcement community to coordinate around our Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security and a situation room to coordinate federal state and local resources," Youngkin told Gayle King on CBS Mornings on Tuesday. "We also have grants available to houses of worship in order to help protect them."

Youngkin told King that Virginia has seen an uptick in antisemitic behavior ever since the "barbaric terrorist attack from Hamas on Israelis." He added that he was also aware of concerns in the Muslim community about a backlash.

Read the full text of Executive Directive Six

"We're working to make sure that all of our team members of the Jewish faith and the Muslim faith (are safe), at a time when we do see a massive rise in antisemitic behavior and threats," he said. "I hear (concerns) every day as I have visited with many members of these religious communities."

Youngkin related a story about a recent gathering of Jewish families who told him that they feared for the safety of their children.

"This is an important moment for us to stand strong against hate to remind everyone that there is no room for hate in Virginia or America, and we stand up for people's ability to express their religious freedom," he said.

The directive also increases the collaboration between the state's education department, K-12 schools, and institutes of higher learning to promote student safety, especially Jewish students.

“Hatred, intolerance, and antisemitism have no place in Virginia," Youngkin said, in a release. "As governor, the safety and security of all Virginians is my paramount concern. Virginia is the birthplace of the freedom of religion in America, and protecting the community centers and houses of worship of the Jewish people is paramount. But this commitment extends to all religions, including those of the Muslim faith, who are increasingly concerned about backlash."

The Youngkin administration's efforts to reduce antisemitism in the state go back to the governor's first day in office, when he signed Executive Order Number 8, establishing the Commission to Combat Antisemitism. The commission issued a report on Dec. 5, 2022.

In May, Youngkin signed HB 1606, which formally adopted the Working Definition of Antisemitism as defined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. The bill, which went into effect on May 26, was sponsored by Del. Anne Ferrell Tata (R-Virginia Beach) and state Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant (R-Henrico).