RALEIGH, N.C. (RNS) — A group of Jewish, Muslim and Christian activists gathered outside the state’s General Assembly on Wednesday (May 8) to protest a bill that would codify a controversial definition of antisemitism into state law.The Shalom Act is similar to the Antisemitism Awareness Act that passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week. Critics, including those who demonstrated outside the General Assembly, contend it is intended to silence criticism of Israel and to crack down on the growing number of pro-Palestinian rallies roiling college campuses.
But that gathering of Jews, Muslims and Christians did little or nothing to convince legislators. Only four hours later, the state House, which has a Republican supermajority, passed the bill and sent it on to the state Senate.
Both bills, federal and state, adopt the controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism.
While the IHRA definition itself does not mention Israel, it goes on to offer several examples of antisemitism that do. Manifestations of antisemitism, it states, “might include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity” and offers several examples such as: “Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.”
“This bill will blur the line between legitimate criticism of the well-documented war crimes and human rights violations committed by the …
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But that gathering of Jews, Muslims and Christians did little or nothing to convince legislators. Only four hours later, the state House, which has a Republican supermajority, passed the bill and sent it on to the state Senate.
Both bills, federal and state, adopt the controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism.
While the IHRA definition itself does not mention Israel, it goes on to offer several examples of antisemitism that do. Manifestations of antisemitism, it states, “might include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity” and offers several examples such as: “Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.”
“This bill will blur the line between legitimate criticism of the well-documented war crimes and human rights violations committed by the …nnDiscussion:nn” ai_name=”RocketNews AI: ” start_sentence=”Can I tell you more about this article?” text_input_placeholder=”Type ‘Yes'”]