Antisemitism Bill Passes House Amid Nationwide Anti-Israel College Protests

The House of Representatives passed a major antisemitism bill on Wednesday, which would crack down on antisemitism on college campuses amid ongoing nationwide protests.

The bill, introduced by New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, passed in a bipartisan 320-91 vote and will now go to the Senate. 21 Republicans and 70 Democrats opposed the legislation.

The legislation seeks to make the Department of Education adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism when enforcing the 1964 Civil Rights Act on college campuses.

The alliance defines antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews" and includes "[r]hetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities."

Examples of antisemitism include calling for the harming of Jewish people in the name of a radical or extremist view of religion and accusing Jewish people of inventing and/or exaggerating the Holocaust.

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The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) praised the House's passage of the bill as a "momentous achievement" but emphasized that further efforts are needed to secure its approval in the Senate and its delivery to President Joe Biden for signing.

CAM urged Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to prioritize the Antisemitism Awareness Act's passage in the Senate. The bill has faced criticism from some members of both parties who argue that it could restrict free speech.

Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, who opposed the bill, referred to it as a "hate speech bill" in a social media post. Gaetz stated, "Antisemitism is wrong, but this legislation is written without regard for the Constitution, common sense, or even the common understanding of the meaning of words."

Democratic lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have also called for the passage of a related bill titled "Countering Antisemitism Act." This bill would combat antisemitism through the appointment of a new presidential advisor responsible for implementing the White House's coordinated strategy in dealing with antisemitism.

The House's approval of the antisemitism bill was hailed as a significant milestone by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), which simultaneously stressed the necessity for continued efforts to ensure its passage in the Senate and its presentation to President Joe Biden for his signature.

CAM called upon Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to make the Antisemitism Awareness Act's passage a top priority in the Senate. The bill has encountered opposition from certain members of both parties who contend that it might infringe upon freedom of speech. In a social media post, Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, who voted against the bill, characterized it as a "hate speech bill." Gaetz remarked, "Antisemitism is wrong, but this legislation is written without regard for the Constitution, common sense, or even the common understanding of the meaning of words."

Democratic legislators, such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have also advocated for the adoption of a companion bill named the "Countering Antisemitism Act." This legislation seeks to address antisemitism by appointing a new presidential advisor tasked with executing the White House's coordinated approach to confronting antisemitism.