US House passes dangerous antisemitism bill, amid protests
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The bill adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism, in what could be described as a move of desperation.
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Pro-Palestine activists demonstrate outside the Capitol in Washington, demanding a bill allocating military aid to "Israel" not be passed, on April 20, 2024. (AP)
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.
United States Congressman, Thomas Massie, said that the legislation was "poorly conceived" and "unconstitutional", as it violated the First Amendment of the US Constitution. From his point of view, the legislation abridges freedom of speech which goes against the First Amendment.
Lawmakers voted 320 in favor and 91 in opposition.
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 and overbroad.
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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