We stand at a critical juncture in the fight against hate. In the wake of the horrific Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, we’ve witnessed a disturbing surge in antisemitic incidents across the globe—and tragically, right here at home. Tensions have escalated to a breaking point, with anti-Israel demonstrations occurring nationwide, particularly on college campuses. Many of these include inciting language against Jewish students and the use of antisemitic rhetoric

The key to combating this rising tide of antisemitism lies in clearly and accurately defining it.
 

It is past time for Congress to act by passing the Antisemitism Awareness Act to address this urgent issue.

This bill will solidify the policy established by the previous three administrations and utilize the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. It provides concrete examples of what constitutes antisemitism so that we can distinguish between legitimate criticism of Israeli policies and hateful attacks targeting Jewish people.

The IHRA definition will give the Department of Education the tools it needs to determine when conduct is motivated by antisemitic bias. This definition includes, but is not limited to, traditional anti-Jewish hatred and Holocaust denial, as well as modern forms of antisemitism that target Jewish Americans due to their association with or connection to the State of Israel.

 

We kindly ask you to reach out to your Representative today and urge them to support the swift passage of the Antisemitism Awareness Act. A vote for this bill is a vote for the Jewish community, a vote for Jewish students, and a vote against antisemitism. Together, we can ensure bipartisan support and pass this critical legislation.