The US House approved a bill that expands the definition of antisemitism used by the Department of Education for enforcing anti-discrimination statutes.
This development is part of a broader legislative response to the extensive student protests on campuses nationwide triggered by the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The bill, which saw a vote of 320-91 and received some cross-party support, aims to integrate the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism into Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
This act prohibits discrimination based on ethnicity, ancestry, or national origin. The bill now heads to the Senate, where its approval remains uncertain.
This legislative action reflects ongoing reactions within Congress to the student protests concerning the Israel-Gaza war.
Many Republicans have criticized these protests and are pushing for measures to halt them, bringing university administrations into a politically sensitive debate regarding Israel’s actions in the conflict.
Since the conflict began in October following a severe attack by Hamas, over 33,000 Palestinians have died.
If the Senate passes the bill and it becomes law, it will expand the legal definition of antisemitism to potentially include actions seen as targeting Israel as a Jewish state. Opponents argue this could suppress free speech on college campuses.
During a hearing, Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., stated that the bill’s broad approach could unfairly encompass political expressions about Israel under the scope of unlawful discrimination.
Proponents believe the bill will provide a vital and uniform standard for the Department of Education to address and scrutinize increasing discrimination and harassment against Jewish students on campuses.
