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Edited by: Fern Sidman
The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act with significant bipartisan support, reflecting a national urgency to address rising anti-Semitism, particularly in academic environments. According to a report on Wednesday on the CNN web site, this legislation arrives at a critical time when pro-Hamas protests are frequent occurrences on college campuses, and tensions around definitions of anti-Semitism are increasingly influencing public discourse and policy.
The Antisemitism Awareness Act is designed to strengthen the federal government’s ability to identify and combat anti-Semitism, especially within higher education institutions. The information provided in the CNN report indicated that the bill mandates that the Department of Education, when enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws, adopt the definition of anti-Semitism used by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
The IHRA definition of anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, often expressed as hatred toward Jews, which includes: Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews; making dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews or the power of Jews as a collective, such as the myth of a Jewish conspiracy or Jews controlling the media, economy, government, or other societal institutions; Holocaust denialism; accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel than to the interests of their own nation; denying the Jewish people the right to self-determination. For example, claiming the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor (anti-Zionism); and drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
The IHRA definition has been used by the State Department over the last three administrations. By codifying this definition into law, Jewish students will be more protected from anti-Semitic discrimination, harassment, and threats. This bill will give investigators at the Department of Education a clear framework and the proper tools for identifying and evaluating anti-Semitism, helping to resolve some of the 137 active Title VI investigations and hold harassers accountable.
The House vote reflected strong bipartisan backing, passing with a tally of 320 to 91. The support crossed party lines, although the opposition included 70 Democrats and 21 Republicans, indicating a complex spectrum of concerns about the bill’s implications, as per the CNN report. New York Republican Representative Mike Lawler, who introduced the bill, emphasized its necessity in combating anti-Semitic hate in the U.S. and expressed gratitude for the widespread endorsement from various Jewish organizations.
Despite the strong support, the bill has faced significant criticism, particularly concerning free speech implications. Opponents argue that the IHRA definition, while comprehensive, is overly expansive and may potentially suppress legitimate free speech, particularly in the context of discussions and criticisms of Israeli policies, the report on CNN suggested. Critics fear that such a broad definition could lead to unintended censorship and stifle academic freedom on campuses, a place traditionally known for vibrant and often contentious political debate.
The bill, which now heads to the Senate, seeks to enforce a specific definition of anti-Semitism in educational institutions that receive federal funding, the CNN report explained. This has spurred reactions from various quarters, including civil rights groups and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.
The push for the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act was led by a bipartisan group of representatives including Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Max Miller (R-OH), and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), reflecting a concerted effort to address rising concerns over anti-Semitic incidents in the United States, particularly on college campuses, according to the information contained in the CNN report.
“We cannot stand idly by as protesters call for the death of Jews on college campuses and across the country,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “When I spoke at Columbia last week, I told administrators that we need deeds, not words to protect Jewish students. This bill is a critical step to take the action we so desperately need to stand against hate.”
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has emerged as a vocal opponent of the bill. In a detailed letter to lawmakers, the ACLU argued that existing federal laws already adequately prohibit anti-Semitic discrimination and harassment by federally funded entities, the CNN report said. The organization expressed concerns that the bill, through its adoption of the IHRA definition, could stifle free speech on college campuses by conflating legitimate criticism of the Israeli government with anti-Semitism. CNN added that the ACLU emphasized its support for combating discrimination but opposes any measure that it perceives as threatening to First Amendment-protected political speech.
The debate over the bill has not been limited to advocacy groups. On the House floor, Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler of New York articulated a critical perspective, stating that while the fight against anti-Semitism is crucial, “this legislation is not the answer.” As detailed in the CNN report, he highlighted concerns that the bill might overreach, potentially classifying criticism of Israel alone as unlawful discrimination, which he argued does not necessarily constitute anti-Semitism.
The bill’s journey through Congress has not been without its political dimensions. Rep. Lawler has dismissed criticism from both sides of the political spectrum, as he called attention to the commitment to advancing the legislation. As indicated in the CNN report, he also noted that Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) is set to introduce a companion bill in the Senate, and urged Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to expedite its consideration.
“Today, House Republicans and Speaker Johnson made it clear: violently anti-Semitic rhetoric has no place on college campuses. Anti-Semitism has spread like wildfire on college campuses and now more than ever, it is crucial that we stamp it out,” said Senator Scott. “I am urging Chuck Schumer to immediately bring my bill, the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, to the floor for a vote and for every single Senator to support it. The Senate has a responsibility to stand against hatred so our Jewish brothers and sisters can live without fear.”
“Jewish Americans, and people of all faiths across our state and nation, are looking for leadership from their elected leaders. We cannot tolerate anti-Semitism, or any form of bigotry and hatred targeted at Americans because of their religious faith. I will always stand for the right of every American to practice their faith openly without fear of violence or harassment. I applaud my bipartisan colleagues for passing this critical bill and call on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to immediately pass the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act of 2023 and President Biden to sign it into law,” said Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03).
“What is happening at Columbia, at Yale, at UCLA, and so many other schools, is reprehensible and alarming,” said Congressman Lawler (NY-17). “When people engage in harassment or bullying of Jewish individuals where they justify the killing of Jews or use blood libel or hold Jews collectively responsible for the actions of the Israeli government – that is anti-Semitic. It’s unfortunate that needs to be clarified, but that’s why this bill is necessary.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, has placed a notable emphasis on anti-Semitism, especially in academic settings. The CNN report noted that his recent visit to Columbia University—to meet with Jewish students and hold a press conference shed light on the growing concern within federal circles about the safety and well-being of Jewish students across the nation. During his visit, Speaker Johnson called for the resignation of Columbia’s president, Minouche Shafik, pointing to her inadequate responses to anti-Semitic incidents.
Building on his actions, Speaker Johnson announced a comprehensive “House-wide effort to crack down on anti-Semitism on college campuses.” The information provided in the CNN report indicated that this initiative, detailed at a news conference, signifies a robust commitment to expanding the scope of oversight across various House committees, particularly focusing on the enforcement of existing anti-discrimination laws and potentially introducing new legislative measures.
In a related development, the CNN report affirmed that Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, chairwoman of the House Education Committee, has taken proactive steps by summoning representatives from several leading universities to appear before her panel. Institutions such as Yale, UCLA, and Michigan have been notified to discuss their handling of anti-Semitic incidents on their respective campuses, the CNN report added. Scheduled for May 23, this hearing aims to hold these institutions accountable and explores more effective strategies to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Speaker’s office further announced that the House would investigate the allocation of federal funding to universities, scrutinize the foreign student visa program, and examine the tax benefits afforded to these institutions, as was described in the CNN report. This broadened scope of oversight suggests a comprehensive approach to understanding and possibly restructuring the federal support that universities receive, aligning it more closely with their compliance with federal anti-discrimination guidelines.
Amidst legislative actions aimed at combating anti-Semitism, Johnson also faces internal threats to his leadership, highlighting the often-contentious nature of political leadership and policy advocacy in today’s polarized environment.
A small but vocal faction of conservative hardliners has expressed dissatisfaction with his leadership, culminating in GOP Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s announcement of her intent to seek a vote on Johnson’s ouster, as per the CNN report. Although Democrats are expected to oppose this motion, thus likely securing Johnson’s position, the move adds considerable pressure on him and sets the stage for a dramatic showdown on the House floor.
Rep. Greene has also stated that she cannot support the bill due to its definition of anti-Semitism, which includes the historical allegation that Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus—a claim she asserts is supported by Christian scripture, the report on CNN said. This interpretation is highly contentious and has been historically linked to justifications for anti-Semitic violence, making her stance particularly divisive and inflammatory within the context of efforts to combat anti-Semitism, the CNN report suggested.
The issue of anti-Semitism is not confined to the halls of Congress but extends into college campuses, notably Columbia University, which has become a focal point for debates over free speech and anti-Semitism. As was noted in the CNN report, some Democratic lawmakers have called for the university to disband pro-Palestinian encampments that have been clear sources of virulently anti-Semitic rhetoric, while others have engaged directly with student activists in an attempt to address the tensions.
The situation escalated when protestors occupied Hamilton Hall, an historic building on campus which was the site of a student takeover 56 years ago by those protesting US involvement in the Vietnam war. Those protests were led by former Columbia student Mark Rudd of the Students for a Democratic Society organization.
The CNN report also opined that former President Donald Trump has again come under scrutiny for his remarks and associations that many critics view as exacerbating tensions around Jewish identity and loyalty.
In a recent interview, Trump stated that any Jewish person who votes for Democrats “hates their religion” and “everything about Israel,” CNN reported. Many Jewish organizations who are in the forefront of support for Israel and works towards strengthening traditional Jewish identity amongst its members gave their full throated endorsement and total imprimatur to Trump’s statement.
The CNN report however said that this comment taps into the anti-Semitic trope of dual loyalty, suggesting that Jewish Americans are more loyal to Israel than to the United States, a notion that has been historically used to marginalize and discriminate against Jewish communities.
As universities across the United States witness a surge in student-led protests regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the academic landscape has become a microcosm of the broader geopolitical tensions. The protests on college campuses are largely fueled by erroneous perceptions of ongoing oppression over 70 years involving Palestinian rights, land, and culture.
Concurrently, many in the Jewish community feel an acute need for increased support for Israel, especially in the wake of heightened anti-Semitic violence and threats following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023. For many Jews, Israel is not only a nation but a crucial sanctuary for a historically oppressed people. Despite some criticisms of specific Israeli policies, including those under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the prevailing view among many Jews is that anti-Israel and anti-Zionist sentiments often intersect dangerously with anti-Semitism, as was revealed in the CNN report.
The ADL has noted a historic surge in violence and threats against Jewish students. The report on CNN confirmed that the situation is exacerbated when Jewish students at some rallies report threats and encounter explicitly anti-Semitic rhetoric, calling attention to the volatile intersection of free speech and hate speech in protest environments.
The Jewish Voice praised the House passage of this important legislation. “The implementation of the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act aims to provide educational institutions with clear guidelines on how to recognize and address acts of anti-Semitism effectively. By codifying the IHRA definition into law, it offers administrators and policymakers a specific framework for action, potentially leading to more consistent and proactive measures across campuses nationwide. This act is seen by its proponents as a vital step in ensuring that Jewish students can pursue their educational goals in a safe and supportive environment, “ said Jewish Voice publisher, David Ben Hooren.
Ben Hooren also lauded Speaker Johnson’s efforts to address the campus anti-Semitism issue head on. “In the face of increasing anti-Semitic incidents across the United States, particularly in educational settings, the Jewish community has strongly advocated for more robust legislative measures. The Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, supported by House Speaker Mike Johnson, emerges as a significant legislative effort designed to address and mitigate these concerns by providing clearer guidelines for identifying and combating anti-Semitism on college campuses,” he declared.
