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ADL-sponsored bill includes criticism of Israel in anti-Semitism definition

In just a few short hours last Friday, the Senate – without public debate -- introduced and then passed the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, a bill co-written by the Anti-Defamation League that redefines anti-Semitism. Under this reinterpretation, criticism of Israeli policies would be considered to be anti-Semitic. 


The bill would impose this new definition on the Department of Education as it investigates Title VI claims of anti-Semitism on college campuses. Outside Zionist organizations have filed numerous such claims against Palestine solidarity activists in attempts to shut down campus activism. “This broad and vague definition of anti-Semitism would allow virtually any criticism of Israel to be labeled as anti-Semitic, including any speech deemed to ’demonize,’ apply “’double standards’ to, or ’delegitimize’ Israel,” according to Palestine Legal.  In other words, if the bill became law it could effectively stop all campus Palestine solidarity activism.

A similar bill has been introduced in the House Judiciary Committee and we need your help to defeat it.