This Wednesday, April 30th, a Senate committee is considering the Antisemitism Awareness Act, a deceptively-titled bill that would codify the controversial IHRA definition of antisemitism into law and stifle free speech in the false name of Jewish safety.
Antisemitism is a serious problem, but codifying a definition into law will not end antisemitism. Even the lead drafter of the IHRA definition has opposed enshrining it as a legal tool, and no other form of oppression is defined in U.S. law. Moreover, this definition will be misused to suppress dissent and criticism of Israel.
We know Jews and all communities are safer when we live in thriving democracies. We must fight antisemitism AND protect the pillars of our democracy: open debate, free speech, and civil rights.