Hundreds of Jewish professors call on Biden not to sign antisemitism bill

Almost 700 Jewish college professors sent a letter to President Joe Biden earlier this week, urging him not to sign the Antisemitism Awareness Act. 

“Criticism of the state of Israel, the Israeli government, policies of the Israeli government, or Zionist ideology is not — in and of itself — antisemitic,” the letter to Biden reads.

The Antisemitism Awareness Act passed the House overwhelmingly last week, despite 21 Republicans and 70 Democrats voting against it. 

The legislation seeks to make the Department of Education adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism when enforcing the 1964 Civil Rights Act on college campuses.

The IHRA defines antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews," but also includes an array of specific examples, several of which directly address Israel.

"We hold varied opinions on Israel. Whatever our differences, we oppose the IHRA’s definition of antisemitism," the letter further stated. "If imported into federal law, the IHRA definition will delegitimize and silence Jewish Americans–among others–who advocate for Palestinian human rights or otherwise criticize Israeli policies."

The legislation, the letter argues, would also equate criticism of the state of Israel to antisemitism. 

“By stifling criticism of Israel, the IHRA definition hardens the dangerous notion that Jewish identity is inextricably linked to every decision of Israel’s government,” the letter also stated. “Far from combating antisemitism, this dynamic promises to amplify the real threats Jewish Americans already face.”