1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I am writing as your constituent to ask that you oppose S. 4091, the so-called “Anti-Semitism Awareness Act”. This bill would undermine the free speech of students and faculty on college campuses by incorrectly equating criticism of the Israeli state and government with antisemitism. S. 4091 would direct the Department of Education to consider the incredibly dangerous and controversial IHRA definition of antisemitism when investigating Title VI complaints. Attempts to codify the definition into law have been strongly opposed by a broad cross-section of civil liberties groups, Jewish and Palestinian human rights organizations, and major newspaper editorial boards, including the ACLU and the New York Times. The Israeli government has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and brought hundreds of thousands in the north to the brink of famine. It is absolutely critical that college students be free to speak out and organize against Israel’s actions. S. 4091 is a direct and unconstitutional attack that seeks to silence political dissent. I hope you will oppose this dangerous bill.