We have all been stunned and outraged by what we have been hearing and seeing on America’s college campuses: Antisemitic and anti-Israel vitriol from students and professors; praise for Hamas and its butchery; threats, assaults, and violence against Jewish students; tepid response from university officials.
Jewish students are rightfully scared for their safety. And we must support them!
Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) have introduced the Antisemitism Awareness Act (H.R. 6090), which directs the U.S. Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating possible antisemitic actions on campus. Passage of this legislation will ensure that the Department of Education, now and in the future, will have a clear, statutorily-based definition when investigating whether and when anti-Israel or antisemitic incidents cross over from free speech to unlawful activity and behavior.
This will help prevent antisemites on campus from getting away with their antisemitism!
After October 7, Agudath Israel supported various bipartisan resolutions denouncing antisemitism on campus and student groups that celebrated Hamas’ atrocities. We have called on university leaders to voice opposition and take concrete steps to quell the antisemitic hatred on campus.
But, as many university officials have presented House testimony indicating a shockingly immoral and confused leadership, and as the antisemitism on campus has only become more vicious and widespread in recent days, we need further legislation on this vital front. We, therefore, encourage you to contact your representatives immediately and urge them to support the Antisemitism Awareness Act. It will provide another critical weapon in the fight against the scourge of antisemitism on campus.
Click HERE to contact your representatives.
Thank you for your help!
Rabbi Abba Cohen
Vice President for Government Affairs
Washington Director and Counsel
Rabbi Yossie Charner
Director of Congressional Relations