A bipartisan group of lawmakers has come together to support a bill aimed at addressing the issue of antisemitism on college campuses. The bill, known as the Antisemitism Awareness Act, seeks to ensure that the Department of Education considers antisemitism while enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws and investigates instances of antisemitism on college campuses.
Introduced by Republican New York Congressman Mike Lawler, the bill aims to address the “disturbing and unacceptable” antisemitic demonstrations that have been witnessed at universities, which Lawler describes as “breeding grounds of antisemitism.” The proposed legislation directs the Department of Education to utilize the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism and its examples when investigating hate crimes.
Senator Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina and a potential 2024 presidential candidate, is co-leading the bill. He believes that American universities have become “hotbeds of antisemitism,” particularly in the aftermath of the recent Hamas terror attacks against Israel and innocent civilians. Scott emphasizes the importance of equipping the Department of Education with the necessary tools and resources to combat antisemitism and eradicate hatred in all its forms.
Despite the bipartisan nature of the bill, some progressive Democrats have chosen to support it, including Representatives Josh Gottheimer from New Jersey, Jared Moskowitz from Florida, and Sheila Jackson Lee from Texas. This is notable as progressive Democrats have often diverged from their colleagues in supporting Israel and condemning Hamas. Moskowitz states that those who commit antisemitic attacks must be held accountable, emphasizing the need for a multi-layered approach to combat antisemitism.
The proposed legislation also seeks to treat hate crimes involving antisemitism with the same level of severity as other forms of discrimination. Gottheimer believes that it is crucial to educate future generations about the evil of antisemitism and protect Jewish students from violence and the impact of hate.
The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has expressed concern over the Biden administration’s policy on antisemitism, claiming that it was “purposely ambiguous about the definition” to allow some antisemites to hide their anti-Israel hate. The ZOA stresses the necessity of clearly identifying the hatred of Jews as antisemitism and eliminating any ambiguity in federal law’s definition of discrimination against Jews.
Recent incidents at New York City College and George Washington University highlight the urgency of addressing antisemitism on college campuses. Jewish students at New York City College were locked inside a library during a pro-Palestinian protest, while messages such as “Glory to our Martyrs” and “Your Tuition is Funding Genocide in Gaza” were projected onto George Washington University’s library. University professors have also been accused of publishing op-eds that accuse Israel of “weaponizing the Holocaust” to justify its actions against Palestinians.
Republican Representative Max Miller from Ohio, who is sponsoring the bill, argues that these incidents underscore the need for federal policy to protect Jewish students. William C. Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, emphasizes that antisemitic rhetoric has made Jewish students feel the need to conceal their Jewish identity.
The Anti-Defamation League has documented over a hundred antisemitic incidents across the U.S. since the Hamas attack on October 7. Additionally, the FBI has reported an increase in threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities, as well as hoax bomb threats against synagogues.
This bipartisan effort to combat antisemitism on college campuses reflects the recognition of the urgent need to protect Jewish students and eradicate hatred. The proposed legislation seeks to provide the Department of Education with the necessary tools to investigate and address instances of antisemitism, ensuring that Jewish students can pursue their education without fear or discrimination.
