Protect Free Speech, Oppose Conflating Anti-Zionism with Antisemitism

The proposed legislation raises significant concerns about infringing on the constitutionally protected right to freedom of speech. Conflating legitimate criticism of the Israeli government and its policies with antisemitism is a deeply problematic approach that shields Israel as they are actively committing war crimes and violating multiple international laws, including the ICJ ruling, only perpetuating the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people. The IHRA definition risks falsely equating anti-Zionism with antisemitism, effectively shielding the Israeli state from accountability for its actions. This definition fails to acknowledge the diversity of opinions within the Jewish community regarding Zionism and the Israeli government. Suppressing dissent under the guise of combating antisemitism perpetuates harmful stereotypes and undermines the Palestinian struggle for human rights. Any attempt to legislate a specific definition of antisemitism poses a threat to open discourse and could result in the censorship of advocacy for Palestinian rights.