The House recently passed the “Antisemitism Awareness Act,” sparking concerns on social media that the Bible had been banned. Despite sensational claims, the legislation aims to address rising anti-Jewish sentiment on college campuses by defining and penalizing antisemitism. However, critics argue that the bill’s broad definition of antisemitism restricts protected speech. The bill references the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition, which includes controversial statements about Jews and Israel. While offensive, these statements are protected under the First Amendment. The bill’s contradiction of requiring colleges to allow certain speech while potentially defunding them for that speech is problematic and may lead to unconstitutional censorship. Even pro-Israel Jewish voices have criticized the bill, emphasizing the importance of upholding free speech values. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has condemned the legislation for potentially stifling campus speech. The bill’s fate now lies with the Senate, where it should be rejected to protect freedom of expression.
