Upon Reintroduction of Bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act, Moskowitz Rallies Colleagues to Pass the Bill, Protect Jewish Students
Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) joined colleagues to reintroduce the Antisemitism Awareness Act and rally members of Congress on both sides of the Capitol to pass it into law. Moskowitz was joined at a U.S. House press conference on the reintroduction by fellow sponsors and cosponsors of the bill, including fellow bill leads Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), and Congressman Max Miller (OH-07).
The bipartisan bill codifies the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism in the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Upon its adoption into law, the Office would have to take into account this definition (“a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews”) when reviewing or investigating complaints of discrimination in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.
“Last year, we saw horrific images across our nation’s college campuses — places like Columbia University, where I visited on Passover with my colleagues to stand with Jewish students who were being harassed,” said Congressman Moskowitz. “Our message was clear then and now: never should it be acceptable for students to feel unsafe walking to their classes simply because they’re Jewish, and it is imperative that we continue to fight antisemitism in every way, shape, and form, on both sides of the aisle. The working definition of antisemitism provided by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance is not at all controversial. It’s past time that the Department of Education adopt this definition through our bipartisan bill to protect Jewish students.”
“The House overwhelmingly passed my bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act last session, and today I am proud to reintroduce this critical legislation in the new Congress,” said Congressman Lawler. “Since the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7th, 83% of college students said they witnessed or experienced antisemitism on campus. This is unacceptable. No person should feel unsafe, targeted, or ostracized because of their faith – and the Antisemitism Awareness Act will stop it from happening.”
“Since the heinous October 7 attacks on Israel, we have seen an explosion of antisemitic violence and intimidation on college campuses and in communities across New Jersey and the nation. Far too many in our community no longer feel safe in their own homes or classrooms,” said Congressman Gottheimer. “That’s why I’m reintroducing the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which will give state officials and law enforcement a clear framework for identifying and addressing antisemitism to hold harassers accountable. Our bipartisan bill adopts the most widely recognized definition of antisemitism in the world, already used by more than 40 countries and 35 states. Hate and discrimination have no place in New Jersey or the country, and we must act now to protect our Jewish students and families from threats, intimidation, and violence.”
“Antisemitism has spread like wildfire on college campuses, especially in the wake of Hamas’s ruthless attack on Israel. College students celebrate terrorists who brutally murder innocent civilians as ‘martyrs’ and faculty members call Hamas’s assault ‘exhilarating.’ This abhorrent behavior underscores the clear need for federal policy to protect Jewish students on these unfriendly campuses. College campuses should be safe havens for learning, not nests of hatred,” said Congressman Miller.
The legislation is endorsed by leading Jewish organizations from across the nation, including ADL (Anti-Defamation League), American Jewish Committee (AJC), Christians United for Israel (CUFI), Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), Conference of Presidents of American Jewish Organizations (COP), Democratic Majority for Israel, Endowment for Middle East Truth (EMET), Hadassah, Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), National Jewish Advocacy Center, Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC), Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (OU), and Zionist Organization of America (ZOA).
During the 118th Congress, Moskowitz visited Columbia University on Passover to stand in solidarity with Jewish students. He led colleagues in the U.S. House to pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 on a wide, bipartisan vote of 320-91, but the bill was subsequently held up in the U.S. Senate.