U.S. President Donald Trump opened the Jewish American Heritage Month Friday with a proclamation hailing the "resilience" the Jewish people have demonstrated throughout ages.
"Jewish Americans have contributed in countless ways to our country’s culture and character" ever since 1654, when the first Jewish settlers arrived, Trump said.
He noted that Jews still "face anti-Semitic discrimination, persecution, and violence today," pointing at last year's shooting attack at a synagogue in Poway, California, as an example.
He stressed the U.S. would "never compromise our steadfast support for the Jewish community" and rejected "anti-Semitic bigotry."
The Jewish American Heritage Month was proclaimed by then-President George W. Bush in 2006.
The move came on the back of the efforts of the Jewish Museum of Florida and South Florida Jewish Community, as well as Republican Senator Arlen Specter.
Since then, presidents issued their statements on May 1st, commemorating the achievements of the American Jewish community.