Pence: We must condemn antisemitism at every chance we get

Apr. 11—GROVE CITY — Hamas' attack on Israel — and the global response to Israel's ensuing offensive into the Hamas-run Palestinian enclave in Gaza — left former Vice President Mike Pence with the need to combat antisemitism.

"I believe that the majority of people are good. I can't imagine that they'd be waving flags around and supporting the Hamas terrorists if they had seen what I've seen," Pence said Thursday at Grove City College. "That is why I believe it's critical to teach young people about antisemitism."

Pence, vice president from 2017 to 2021 under former President Donald Trump, spoke Thursday at the college's 2024 Institute for Faith & Freedom 2024 Conference, titled Confronting Antisemitism.

The Crawford Hall auditorium was packed with students and members of the community for Pence to give his take on the war in Israel.

Pence began his speech talking about his trip to see the damage that was done in Israel.

"Before I went, I saw videos from Ring cameras and from people of what had happened on October 7. I watched as much as I could stomach," Pence said. "When I went to Israel, I spoke to people firsthand. I talked to a man who told me his friend was shot in the head in front of his two kids. The terrorist then proceeded to try and get a glass of water as if nothing happened. These are cold and unremorseful attacks. I have never felt such a mixture of anger and grief."

Pence visited different sites from the attack. He met with members of the military who stepped up during the attacks and political leaders of Israel.

"I think the thing that sticks with me the most is how united they were. You have people with different politics and they all had the same message of unification," Pence said. "You had military personnel who were in reserves told they had to report in 12 hours with almost no orders. They did it and were ready and unified to protect their southern wall."

Pence then shifted over to his thoughts on antisemitism in the states.

He told a story of an 89-year-old Holocaust survivor who attended a council meeting in Berkley, Calif. She attempted to bring up the attacks and was booed out of the meeting.

"Booing a Holocaust survivor. I couldn't believe it when I heard," Pence said. "There is a serious problem and disconnect if we can't even let someone like that say what they need to."

Pence also spoke about his work with antisemitism when he was in Congress.

"I remember Tom Lantos, the only person to survive the Holocaust and serve in Congress, came to me. He was as liberal as I am conservative, but he knew my love of Israel," Pence said. "Together, we made the first antisemitism caucus."

At the discussion, Grove City College representatives announced it was developing its Center for Faith & Public Life to explore and support the presence of Christian faith in public institutions.

As part of the initiative, Pence will immediately begin service as the Distinguished Visiting Fellow for Faith & Public Life.

College President Paul McNulty said he will teach classes at the center and Pence will give occasional speeches as well. Pence said he hopes to be a more consistent presence on campus next year, attending other activities and events throughout the academic year.

"I hope everyone walks out of here with a burden on your heart to do something," Pence said. "We must do more as a nation and seize the opportunity to condemn antisemitism every chance we get. I also think laws need to be passed by the states to officially define antisemitism."

Ty Kohler can be contacted at tkohler@alliednews.com.