HOME ABOUT REPORTS CONTACT HELP WANTED
REJECT A FAKE ANTISEMITISM BILL
A DANGEROUS ATTACK ON PROTESTS ABOUT GAZA
We totally oppose antisemitism and strongly support the right for Israel to exist.
However, it is an outrage that a bill now passed by the U.S. House would persecute Americans who agree with former President Carter that there are some very legitimate subjects of debate about modern Israeli policies. This is being done under the fake pretense of somehow combatting antisemitism.
It's real goal to suppress criticism of Israel by launching a dangerous attack on free debate. Setting controls over free speech at higher education institutions could result in huge financial penalties.
Very deceitfully, the details of the restrictions are not in the Bill. They were drawn up by a foreign organization, The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.
If this Bill passes, then anyone who is "Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis" and claims there is a genocide happening in Gaza will be suppressed immediately. Allegations "claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor" will also be forbidden despite the fact the same level of critique is often directed against many nation-states and is not exclusive to Israel alone. This legislation would also bring into existence a list of academic articles and books that would become anti-Semitic under the definition that will be removed by law from our libraries with direct implications on what is allowed to be taught and researched in schools. There are too many unforeseen consequences and variables to this law, which may be twisted and manipulated to fit a specific agenda that is not the intended purpose.
Rights groups and some Jewish-led organizations have expressed fears that the Bill could suppress legitimate political expression and debate on U.S. campuses regarding Israeli policies.
Groups like the ACLU have also pointed out that "Federal law already prohibits antisemitic discrimination and harassment by federally funded entities."
On May 1, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6090, the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023. This Bill must be defeated in the Senate.
Details of Bill
ACLU Urges House of Representatives to Oppose Anti-semitism Awareness Act (ACLU Document, 4-26-24)
ACLU Condemns House Passage of Dangerous Bill That Would Chill Free Speech (ACLU, 5-2-24)
H.R.6090 - Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 (Congress.Gov)
H.R. 6090 (PDF, Govinfo.Gov)
Passage of Bill in House
Roll Call 172 Bill Number: H. R. 6090 (Clerk/House of Representatives, 5-1-24)
House Passes Bill To Codify Definition Of Anti-Semitism (Daily Wire, 5-1-24)
House passes bill to expand definition of antisemitism amid growing campus protests over Gaza war (AP News, 5-1-24)
IHRA Antisemitism Definition (This is used by the bill but not in text of bill.)
Working Definition of Antisemitism (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance)
Countries Who Have Adopted/Endorsed The IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism (AJC)
Senate Related Links:
Where the Senate stands on passing House antisemitism bill (Politico, 5-2-24)
Nearly 700 Jewish professors call on Biden not to sign controversial antisemitism legislation (The Hill, 5-8-24)