- A Bill proposes using language from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance to define antisemitism.
- Many argue that this approach would be used to suppress free speech and any criticism of Israel.
The US House of Representatives has passed an “Antisemitism awareness bill” sponsored by a New York Republican, Mike Lawler, in response to pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses in Manhattan and nationwide. The bill, approved 320-91 with some bipartisan support, aims to “provide for the consideration of a definition of antisemitism set forth by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance for the enforcement of federal anti-discrimination laws concerning education programs or activities, and for other purposes,” it was said.
Democrats opposed the bill. The American Civil Liberties Union also opposed the bill, stating that existing federal laws already prohibit antisemitic discrimination and harassment by federally funded entities. They argued that the bill could potentially suppress free speech on college campuses by wrongly equating criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism.
The Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP) has stated that there is an evolving interpretation of “antisemitism” in US political discourse.
