PITTSBURGH — On Saturday, President Joe Biden commemorated the sixth anniversary of the tragic shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue, which resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals. He highlighted what he described as an “appalling surge of antisemitism” in the wake of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
This tragic event took place in 2018 at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill, a cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community, where three congregations—Dor Hadash, New Light, and Tree of Life—shared their space. The attack, which became the most deadly antisemitic incident in U.S. history, also led to injuries among two worshippers and five police officers who responded to the scene.
In his statement, Biden expressed that the attack deeply impacted families, the Jewish community, and the nation as a whole, saying it “shattered families, pierced the heart of the Jewish community, and struck the soul of our nation.” However, he also acknowledged the resilient spirit of the Jewish community in the years that followed, which has demonstrated “how to courageously turn pain into purpose” by launching initiatives aimed at combating hatred and violence.
The remembrance of the synagogue shooting comes in close proximity to the anniversary of the horrific events of October 7 in Israel, during which Hamas was responsible for over 1,200 fatalities and the taking of around 250 hostages, alongside alarming acts of sexual violence. Biden emphasized that the trauma stemming from that day is aggravated by the rising tide of antisemitism targeting Jews both in the U.S. and globally.
The events have sparked an ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, leading to significant devastation and loss of life in Gaza. In response, Biden stated that his administration is rolling out a national strategy to fight antisemitism, which includes allocating $1.2 billion for enhancing security at various nonprofits, including synagogues, Jewish community centers, and day schools. He also pointed to the Justice Department’s efforts in investigating and prosecuting antisemitic hate crimes and emphasized that educational institutions have been warned that antisemitism is a form of discrimination under civil rights laws.
Vice President Kamala Harris also addressed the rise in antisemitism during her remarks on the anniversary of the Pittsburgh assault, affirming her commitment to safeguarding Jewish individuals in the U.S. and worldwide, and pledging to denounce antisemitism whenever it appears.
Last year, the perpetrator of the Pittsburgh shooting received a death sentence after being found guilty on 63 counts, which included hate crimes resulting in the deaths. Additionally, construction has begun on a new complex at the site of the synagogue, which will include a cultural center, a sanctuary, an educational facility, and a museum, all dedicated to honoring the memory of the worshippers who lost their lives.
