Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida criticized the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which aims to address antisemitism on college campuses and expand the legal definition of antisemitism in anti-discrimination laws. Despite his opposition, the bill passed overwhelmingly in the House by a 320-91 vote. Gaetz argued that the bill’s definition of antisemitism could include excerpts from the Bible, making it unconstitutional and lacking common sense. If the bill is passed by the Senate and signed by President Biden, it would require the Department of Education to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism.
Gaetz pointed out one of IHRA’s definitions of antisemitism, which includes claims of Jews killing Jesus, implying that this would implicate the Bible itself. The IHRA defines antisemitism as a certain perception of Jews that may manifest as hatred toward individuals, properties, institutions, or facilities. Despite bipartisan support for the bill, Gaetz maintained his opposition, stating that it would empower the Department of Education as “Antisemitism police,” which he believed would be detrimental. Critics of the bill argued that it would violate free speech rights on college campuses.
Rep. Jerry Nadler, a Jewish progressive and top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, also opposed the legislation. He expressed concerns that the bill’s definition of antisemitism could include protected speech, particularly in the context of criticism of Israel. While acknowledging that criticism of Israel can sometimes veer into antisemitism, he highlighted the need to distinguish between the two. The bill had support from over a dozen Democratic lawmakers, including several Jewish representatives. However, it faced opposition from 70 Democrats and 21 Republicans.
Advocates of the Antisemitism Awareness Act, led by Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, argued that the bill was necessary to address instances where individuals harass or bully Jewish individuals by justifying violence, spreading blood libel, or holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of the Israeli government. Lawler emphasized the importance of clarifying such behaviors as antisemitic, despite the need for this clarification being regrettable. The bill seeks to combat antisemitism on college campuses and ensure that Jewish individuals are protected from discrimination and hatred.
The Antisemitism Awareness Act’s passage in the House reflects a bipartisan effort to address and combat antisemitism on college campuses. While there were critics, including Rep. Matt Gaetz, who raised concerns about the bill’s potential impact on free speech and its definition of antisemitism, others argued that it was necessary to provide protections for Jewish individuals facing harassment and discrimination. The bill’s supporters stressed the importance of distinguishing between legitimate criticism of Israel and expressions of antisemitism in order to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
