Staff Reports
The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill aimed at combating antisemitism on college campuses, with 320 members in favor and 91 against. The legislation, called the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 and introduced by Republican Rep. Mike Lawler from New York, would expand the definition of antisemitism under the Civil Rights Act to include the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition.
#BREAKING House passes bill expanding definition of antisemitism as protests engulf college campuseshttps://t.co/zXRNyEmxZR
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) May 1, 2024
Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to address the rise in antisemitic incidents and behaviors, particularly on college campuses, where pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel demonstrations have become more prevalent. The bill seeks to codify the IHRA definition of antisemitism in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, in an effort to provide greater protection for Jewish students against intolerance and discrimination.
However, the legislation faced opposition from some House Democrats who raised concerns about its potential impact on free speech and its singular focus on the IHRA definition. Several Democrats, including Judiciary Committee ranking member Jerry Nadler, argued that the bill disregarded other definitions of antisemitism and pointed to the chief author of the IHRA definition, Kenneth Stern, who cautioned against its codification into law.
Despite the resistance from some Democrats, Republicans emphasized the urgency of addressing antisemitism on college campuses, citing instances of violent protests at universities such as Columbia, UCLA, and others. They denounced the behavior as unacceptable and stressed the need for legislative action to protect Jewish students from discrimination.
In response to the opposition, Rep. Lawler criticized his colleagues for prioritizing politics over the safety and well-being of the Jewish community. He emphasized that the bill aimed to clearly define antisemitism and rejected the notion that it would restrict free speech, asserting that calls for violence against Jews should not be protected speech.
The passage of the bill in the House represents a significant step in addressing the growing concerns surrounding antisemitism in educational settings. As the legislation moves forward, its impact on college campuses and the broader fight against antisemitism will continue to be a topic of discussion and debate.
