House Passes Antisemitism Awareness Act: Religion, Politics, and Free Speech Collide

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the Antisemitism Awareness Act on Wednesday in a 320-91 vote, with the legislation now heading to the Senate for consideration. The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Reps. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), aims to provide a clear definition of antisemitism to assist the Department of Education and Department of Justice in investigating antisemitic incidents on college campuses and other educational programs.

Why This Matters: The rapid passage of the Antisemitism Awareness Act raises serious concerns about the protection of free speech and the potential for unconstitutional restrictions on political discourse. While combating antisemitism is a laudable goal, the broad definition of antisemitism adopted by the bill could lead to the suppression of legitimate criticism of Israel and its policies, effectively chilling free speech on college campuses and beyond.

The passage of the bill comes amid a wave of pro-Palestinian protests on dozens of college campuses nationwide, with some demonstrators' rhetoric veering into antisemitism. At Columbia University, protesters took over a building, prompting a police response. "We need to be able to define antisemitism," Rep. Lawler stated, emphasizing the importance of the legislation. He added, "When you hear 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,' that is calling for the eradication of Jews and the state of Israel."

The Antisemitism Awareness Act directs the Department of Education to use the definition promulgated by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) when enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws. The IHRA defines antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews," and provides examples of antisemitic rhetoric and actions, such as calling for the harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or accusing Jews of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.

Rep. Gottheimer highlighted the responsibility of colleges to protect against hate and discrimination, stating, "There's a difference between speech which should be protected and harassment and violence and intimidation, like a death threat." Under the new legislation, colleges that fail to protect Jewish students could face civil rights enforcement.

However, the bill has faced criticism from some lawmakers who argue that it could chill constitutionally protected free speech, including legitimate criticism of Israel. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), despite his dedication to combating antisemitism, opposed the "misguided bill," stating that it "threatens to chill constitutionally protected speech" and "sweeps too broadly" by encompassing purely political speech about Israel into Title VI's ambit.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) called the legislation a "ridiculous hate speech bill," arguing that it is "written without regard for the Constitution, common sense, or even the common understanding of the meaning of words." Similarly, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) stated, "The rise of antisemitism in America and especially on college campuses is abhorrent and disgusting, but I will not violate my constitutional principles to vote for a bill that tramples on the First Amendment and won't make a positive impact on this issue."

The debate surrounding the Antisemitism Awareness Act reflects the complex interplay between protecting Jewish students from harassment and discrimination while preserving the right to free speech and legitimate political discourse. As the bill moves to the Senate for consideration, the balance between these competing interests will likely continue to be a point of contention.

Antisemitism has deep historical roots, with Christianity playing a significant role in its origins. New Testament passages blaming Jews for Jesus' death, medieval papal decrees restricting Jewish rights, and Martin Luther's hostile writings calling for the destruction of Jewish synagogues and homes have all contributed to the persistence of antisemitism throughout history. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) recently stated she chose not to vote for it as it, "could convict Christians of antisemitism for believing the Gospel that says Jesus was handed over to Herod to be crucified by the Jews." 

The swift approval of the Antisemitism Awareness Act, catalyzed by extensive protests, mirrors the intricate connection between the United States and Israel. This relationship is deeply rooted in the beliefs of many evangelical and fundamentalist Christians, who constitute a significant fraction of Congress and receive considerable financial support from pro-Israel lobbying groups like AIPAC. These individuals often view backing Israel as a spiritual duty, guided by biblical prophecies about Israel and the expected Second Coming of Jesus, as described in both the Old and New Testaments. Central to their belief system is the idea that the return of Jews to Israel is a prerequisite for the foretold Second Coming of Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

• House passes Antisemitism Awareness Act in 320-91 vote; heads to Senate
• Bill aims to define antisemitism for DOE & DOJ investigations on campuses
• Critics argue bill may infringe on free speech, chilling political discourse
• Debate reflects tension between protecting Jewish students & free speech
• Antisemitism has deep historical roots; bill mirrors complex US-Israel ties

Antisemitism is wrong, but I will not be voting for the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 (H.R. 6090) today that could convict Christians of antisemitism for believing the Gospel that says Jesus was handed over to Herod to be crucified by the Jews.



Read the bill text and… pic.twitter.com/Y0eeOiVfnw

— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) May 1, 2024