The US House of Representatives passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act on Wednesday in a bipartisan effort to address the growing concern of anti-Israel sentiment sweeping the country.
As per CNN, the bill, which passed with a vote of 320-91, calls for the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. If signed into law, the Antisemitism Awareness Act would have significant legal implications for educational institutions across the United States. Schools could potentially lose federal funding if they fail to address instances of antisemitism that fall within the IHRA’s definition.
This definition encompasses a wide range of contemporary examples, such as denying the Jewish people’s right to self-determination by claiming that the existence of the State of Israel is a racist endeavor, comparing its current policies to those of Nazi Germany, and holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of the Israeli government.
The IHRA’s definition has been widely accepted, with over 1,200 entities worldwide, including 35 US states, 91 cities, the US State Department, and President Biden’s National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism, having already adopted it.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), who introduced the legislation, emphasized the need for immediate action to protect the Jewish community.
“The Jewish people need our support now. They need action now,” Lawler said.
“I’m thankful for the bipartisan support of the Antisemitism Awareness Act and for the support from a wide range of Jewish organizations that are standing up, endorsing this legislation, and saying enough is enough.”
However, the legislation faced opposition from some fringe lawmakers.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) opposed the bill due to their interpretation of the IHRA’s definition, which they believed could lead to Christians being labeled as antisemitic for their religious beliefs surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus, according to the report.
