I am writing to express my strong opposition to H.R. 6090, a bill that, if passed, would dangerously conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism, infringing upon free speech and diminishing the integrity of legitimate discussions on human rights.
It is essential to clarify that anti-Zionism and criticism of the Israeli government’s policies are not inherently antisemitic. The assertion that they are is a harmful misrepresentation that stifles free expression and suppresses legitimate debates surrounding human rights abuses. Furthermore, equating Judaism with the state of Israel does a profound disservice to Jewish people everywhere by erasing the diversity of thought and belief within Jewish communities. To conflate Judaism with Zionism not only distorts the nature of political discourse but also perpetuates antisemitic tropes that imply a singular Jewish loyalty to Israel. This legislation seeks to use the IHRA’s definition of antisemitism which is openly opposed by many Jewish individuals, including the organization Jewish Voice for Peace.
The Israeli government’s policies, particularly regarding the treatment of Palestinians, have been widely condemned by human rights organizations across the globe, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Criticizing these actions is no different from criticizing any other nation’s policies, and it is neither antisemitic nor an attack on Jewish people. Rather, it is an expression of concern for universal human rights. The attempt to label such criticism as antisemitic is a tactic designed to silence legitimate dissent, shielding Israel from accountability for its actions in violation of international law.
H.R. 6090 dangerously codifies this false conflation into law. By expanding the definition of antisemitism to include criticism of the state of Israel, the bill undermines the fight against real antisemitism, diluting the term and detracting from the urgent work of combating actual discrimination and hatred against Jewish people. In doing so, the bill not only undermines the First Amendment but also perpetuates the very antisemitism it claims to address, by reducing Judaism to a monolithic support for a political state.
Our country has always upheld the importance of free speech and the right to dissent. H.R. 6090 represents a stark departure from those principles and will set a dangerous precedent for restricting debate on foreign policy issues. It is critical that we foster an environment where discussions of international politics, including those involving Israel, can occur without fear of being labeled as hateful or discriminatory. The protection of free speech and the defense of human rights must go hand in hand.
I urge you to oppose H.R. 6090 and protect the fundamental principles of free speech and open debate. We must ensure that the fight against antisemitism is not undermined by laws that unjustly equate criticism of Israel with hatred of Jewish people.
