New US anti-Semitism definition aims to thwart student uprising: PFLP
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The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine condemns the US House of Representatives' vote in favor of expanding the definition of the term "anti-Semitism", and believes that its adoption aims to thwart the student uprising in favor of "Israel".
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Palestinian youth participates in a rally marking the 42nd anniversary of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Nablus, West Bank, Palestine, December 19, 2009. (AP)
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) declared that the US House of Representatives' vote in favor of expanding the definition of the term "anti-Semitism" is an attempt to thwart the university uprising and legitimize the policy of repression and abuse against students and others in society.
In a statement on Friday, the PFLP condemned the transformation of the law into a tool to strike all forms of solidarity with Palestine and "kill any criticism of Zionist practices and policies within American society."
The PFLP emphasized that the current events represent a deceitful manipulation of US laws, aiming to impose restrictions on freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate, both guaranteed by US laws. The Palestinian Resistance group further condemned the labeling of any movement against occupation crimes, investments, or relations with Israeli institutions as "anti-Semitic", stressing that it intends to suppress support for Palestine and stifle the student uprising.
US decision to increase gap between generations
The Front considered that this decision comes within the framework of the US policies of discrimination and double standards toward the rights of the Palestinian people. While peaceful protests are accused of "anti-Semitism," the United States turns a blind eye to the genocidal war against the Palestinian people, and seeks to distort terms by accusing the Resistance of "terrorism" and describing the crimes of the occupation as "legitimate self-defense."
The PFLP underscored that the passage of this decision will increase the gap between the young American generation, who are beginning to see things unfold before them, and the old generation who refuse to reassess their emotional ties to the Israeli occupation.
The Front, in its statement, then called on the people to mobilize against this law and any infringements on the rights of American society in favor of "Israel".
The Popular Front concluded its statement by affirming that the adoption of this law will not halt the broad movement within American society against Israeli or US policies; rather, it will further expose the truth of the false democracy they boast about.
US House passes dangerous antisemitism bill, amid protests
The United States House of Representatives passed legislation to update the definition of antisemitism for the enforcement of federal anti-discrimination laws concerning educational programs.
The bill, dubbed the Antisemitism Awareness Act, comes at a crucial time when students all over the United States are protesting the Israeli genocide of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.
The updated definition will adopt the definition of antisemitism created by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). If eventually enforced, the definition would mark a grave turn of events for American citizens and residents opposing the Israeli occupation. The IHRA has spread dangerous rhetoric in which any action against the "state of Israel" would be considered anti-semitism.
The IHRA had previously attempted to lobby the British government to adopt the definition at an earlier time when then British Home Secretary and pro-Zionist Suella Braverman was still in office.
In detail, the definition considers any expression of hatred toward Jews, including the "Jewish collectivity" or the "State of Israel", antisemitism.
Alleged antisemitic acts or expressions, according to the IHRA definition, include comparing contemporary Israeli policy to Nazi Germany and alleging Jewish control of media, government, or social institutions.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) said that the definition of anti-Semitism adopted by the bill is unconstitutionally vague.
President Joe Biden has accused protesters in dozens of universities across the United States of antisemitism for participating in protests calling on their universities to divest from the Israeli occupation.
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