Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Opposes Anti-Semitism Bill, Citing Belief That Jews Killed Jesus

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, has opposed the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, citing her belief that the bill rejects the "gospel" that "the Jews" handed Jesus over to his crucifiers. Greene's opposition comes at a time when some conservatives are embracing ancient Christian anti-Jewish ideas, such as the belief that Jews are collectively responsible for Jesus's murder.

The bill, which passed the House by a vote of 320-91 on Wednesday, would define anti-Semitism to address complaints to the federal government about violations of the civil rights of Jews. While the bill has faced criticism from progressive quarters over concerns that it would inhibit criticism of Israel, Greene's opposition is based on her belief that the bill threatens Christian expression.

Greene argued that the bill's definition of anti-Semitism, which includes "using the symbols and images associated with classic anti-Semitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis," would "convict Christians of anti-Semitism for believing the Gospel."

Why this matters: Greene's comments reflect a resurgence of the historical anti-Semitic narrative that the Jewish people collectively killed Jesus. This belief has been rejected by many Christian denominations in the years since the Holocaust. The accusation of "deicide," or the belief that Jews killed Jesus, has driven anti-Semitic violence for centuries.

Reps. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), who sponsored the bill, criticized Greene for her comments. Lawler argued that the bill would not make believing in the Gospel illegal, but would help combat anti-Semitism on college campuses. Moskowitz dismissed Greene's comments as those of the "Jew Laser Lady," referring to Greene's past embrace of anti-Semitic tropes.

The Anti-Semitism Awareness Act would force the Education Department to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism for use in enforcing nationwide anti-discrimination laws. While Jesus was a Jewish religious figure crucified by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, with some Jewish leaders and people urging on the crucifixion, the belief that the entire Jewish population was responsible for his death has been rejected by Christian leaders as a driver of anti-Semitism.

Key Takeaways

• Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene opposes the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act.
• Greene believes the bill rejects the "gospel" that "the Jews" killed Jesus.
• The bill defines anti-Semitism, including using tropes like "Jews killed Jesus".
• Greene's comments reflect a resurgence of the anti-Semitic "deicide" belief.
• The bill aims to combat anti-Semitism on college campuses using the IHRA definition.