Zeldin: Government must define antisemitism to fight it

Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., said Thursday that the U.S. federal government cannot combat antisemitism without first defining it.

"Our federal government doesn't even define antisemitism," Zeldin said on the "Just the News, No Noise" TV show. "I have been calling on the IHRA [International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance] definition of antisemitism to be adopted."

The IHRA definition of antisemitism is, "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities."

"Our federal government should be using it across the board," Zeldin said. "How can we stop antisemitism if we can't even agree on what it actually even is?"

Antisemitism has become a hot button topic, following the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel by the terrorist group Hamas.

The House Education and Workforce Committee announced earlier this month that it would open an investigation into Harvard University, MIT, the University of Pennsylvania, and other schools, following a recent congressional hearing about antisemitism on college campuses. 

The school presidents' testimony drew sharp criticism over their answers on whether calling for the genocide of Jews violates their respective schools' codes of conduct on bullying or harassment.

Zeldin said that the federal government should not be pouring money into schools that promote antisemitism.

"President Trump, when he was in office, signed an executive order that ensured that federal tax dollars are not going to educational institutions that are creating these settings where Jews are being harassed," Zeldin said.