The US House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan Antisemitism Act. 320 congressmen spoke in support of the bill, 91 were against it, including 70 Democrats and 21 Republicans. The legislation will now be considered by the Senate.
The primary goal of the new law is to promote the fight against antisemitism in educational institutions, including university campuses. The Department of Education would be required to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism.
According to this definition, antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews that can be expressed as hatred of Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed at Jews or non-Jews and/or their property, Jewish communal institutions, and religious sites. Manifestations of anti-Semitism may include attacks on the State of Israel, intended as a Jewish collective.
"It is critical that we end the hatred of anti-Semitism in our country. I am grateful to members of both parties and Jewish organizations who have said, 'Enough is enough!'" said the bill's sponsor, New York Republican Mike Lawler.
The new law has opponents on both sides. They argue that it violates the First Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and does not provide effective protection for Jewish students at universities.
Representatives of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party are outraged that the law recognizes criticism of Israel as antisemitism. And radical Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene said that the new law contradicts Christian doctrine regarding the responsibility of Jews for the crucifixion of Christ.
