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

I write to express an unflinching and categorical condemnation of the Antisemitism Awareness Act currently under consideration, which constitutes a flagrant violation of the First Amendment rights of U.S. citizens. This bill’s attempt to silence dissent and curtail free speech under the guise of combating antisemitism mirrors the oppressive tactics employed by the Putin regime in Russia, where dissent is stifled, and criticism of government policy is met with ruthless censorship. In advancing this legislation, the U.S. Congress risks implementing a form of censorship that is indistinguishable from those utilized by autocratic regimes, fundamentally betraying the democratic principles upon which this nation was founded. Let it be crystal clear: this bill does not merely seek to protect Jewish communities from genuine antisemitism—an important and noble goal—but rather, it exploits the definition of antisemitism to suppress legitimate and necessary criticism of Israel’s apartheid policies. By doing so, this legislation insulates Israel from accountability at a time when voices around the world, including those at The Hague, are demanding justice and accountability for the ongoing war crimes committed against the Palestinian people. This bill is a desperate attempt to quell these voices and halt the investigation into Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his government, and any U.S. officials who may be complicit in what can only be described as the Palestinian Holocaust. Furthermore, the comparison of contemporary Israeli policies to the atrocities of Nazi Germany is not only justified but essential. Zionism has become the Nazism of our time—an extension of white supremacy, ethnonationalism, and state-sponsored violence that oppresses and subjugates the Palestinian people. The attempt to brand such truths as antisemitism is a sinister effort to rewrite history and absolve Israel of its crimes. We, the people, will not be silenced. We will not stand by as our government continues its complicity in the ongoing genocide against Palestinians. From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free, and we will achieve this freedom by any means necessary. Let there be no doubt: as long as the United States continues to protect and support the Israeli apartheid regime, our protests, disruptions, and civil disobedience will only escalate. We are at a boiling point, and if this injustice continues, it will soon explode into a movement that will shake this nation to its core. The eyes of the world are upon you. Choose wisely.