1. United States
2. Wisc.
3. Letter

Please VETO AB 446 / SB 445! The IHRA definition and the motivations underlying it have nothing to do with protecting the Jewish people, Judaism, Jewish culture, nor preventing another Holocaust, the aim is purely political. The IHRA definition does not serve justice or equality, and it could potentially be used to serve and protect the interests of foreign entities, including interests that compromise or undermine the people of the United States, and the US government. The IHRA definition could deprive US citizens of their constitutional rights to free speech, gathering, protest, and boycotts; this is unacceptable!  The definition has already been used to obstruct learning, open discourse, and fully exploring various topics, while suppressing the voices, rights to gather, and protest of anyone opposed to, or victimized by those the IHRA definition protects.  Freedom from discrimination, and hatred does not mean obstruction or criminalization of any criticism, discussions, or thoughts regarding protected classes of people, or their actions.  Protections cannot be so broad, that those in the protected classes should be free to run amok, commit crimes, and suppress the reporting of truth, or crimes.   The IHRA definition, being so broad, could also be used to further a political ideology - zionism, and protect it and it's proponents; no other political party, ideology, or philosophy is protected in this matter. Of course the Jewish people should be protected from discrimination, and hatred, and they are. Jewish religion like all religion is protected. Jewish people like all races are protected. National origin is protected, so with it, Jewish culture enjoys as much protection as anyone else's culture.  There's simply no reason to lunge so dangerously overboard to protect the Jewish people, they are already protected.  They were protected the same as everyone by virtue of their descent, their country of origin, and their religion, as we all were. They've been additionally protected by the protection of the term especially for them "anti-Semitism". They already enjoy more broadly defined, and redundant protections than any other citizen in the United States; it's already a precarious jaunt toward injustice. It would be a travesty to expand that definition that already affords them extra protection, to such a degree that it could put Jewish Americans, Jewish foreigners, Israelis, Israeli companies, the country of Israel, as well as zionists, in a position where they are above the law, and above reproach.   It is especially important to be cautious with legislating extra protections, and ambiguous terminology for certain groups, in light of current events.  Currently Israel, who could potentially be protected by adopting this broad definition, is  committing genocide; over 500 peope have been killed since the ceasefire, over 100 of them are children.  The genocide, and slaughter of Palestine is not over. We cannot put ourselves in a position where we cannot report on, or criticize the actions a foreign country, when it slaughters innocent children because our legislators made poor choices about definitions.   I implore you, please do not allow AB 446 / SB 445 to pass; don't undermine the civil rights of all Americans, don't endanger our country and constitution.   Please VETO AB 446 / SB 445 if it crosses your desk!