Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., strongly opposed the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which aims to crack down on antisemitism on college campuses and expand the legal definition of antisemitism to enforce anti-discrimination laws. The bill was passed overwhelmingly by a 320-91 vote in the House, but not before critics like Gaetz voiced their concerns. Gaetz argued that some excerpts from the Bible would meet the bill’s definition of antisemitism, and pointed out examples from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition.
If passed by the Senate and signed by President Biden, the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act would require the Department of Education to adopt the IHRA’s definition of antisemitism to enforce anti-discrimination rules. Gaetz strongly opposed this, stating that the Bible itself would fall under the definition of antisemitism according to the bill. He reiterated his opposition later, expressing his desire to abolish the Department of Education rather than empower them as the “Antisemitism police.” Critics of the bill argued that it would negatively impact free speech on college campuses.
Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., a Jewish progressive and top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, also opposed the legislation. He argued that the IHRA’s definition of antisemitism could include protected speech in certain contexts, particularly in relation to criticism of the state of Israel. While Nadler vehemently disagreed with sentiments towards Israel expressed in the examples of antisemitism, he believed that criticism of Israel could often take the form of virulent antisemitism. The bill had over a dozen Democratic backers, including Jewish representatives such as Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Jared Moskowitz, and Ritchie Torres.
70 Democrats voted against the bill, while 133 voted in favor. On the Republican side, 21 voted against the bill, while 187 GOP lawmakers supported it. Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., who led the bill, explained that the legislation aimed to address harassment or bullying of Jewish individuals justifying the killing of Jews, using blood libel, or holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of the Israeli government, which would be considered antisemitic. While Lawler acknowledged the necessity of clarifying these issues, he emphasized the importance of the bill in addressing antisemitism.
Overall, the Antisemitism Awareness Act aims to combat antisemitism on college campuses and expand the legal definition of antisemitism to enforce anti-discrimination laws. Critics like Rep. Matt Gaetz opposed the bill, arguing that it could negatively impact free speech and that certain examples in the IHRA’s definition could include protected speech, particularly in relation to criticisms of Israel. Despite bipartisan support, the bill faced opposition from some members of Congress who believed it could have unintended consequences on speech and criticisms of Israel.
