Ocean County Leader

The House of Representatives has passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act (HR 6090), a bill aimed at combating antisemitism on college campuses. During the debate on the House Floor, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the House Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, expressed his concerns about the rising antisemitism in the United States.

Smith, who has a history of advocating for human rights, recalled his experience in the Soviet Union 42 years ago, stating, "Forty-two years ago, my first human rights trip as a congressman was to the Soviet Union to defend Jews against pernicious antisemitism. I never thought, however, that the antisemitic hate I saw in Moscow and Leningrad could ever happen here. But it has. And it’s escalating."

He highlighted the alarming levels of antisemitism on American college campuses, describing it as "absolutely disgraceful." Smith emphasized the importance of addressing the discrimination and violence faced by Jewish students, stating, "It is morally impermissible—and illegal—that Jewish students are the targets of antisemitic hate and violence."

Smith also pointed out the role of Hamas in promoting antisemitism, calling the organization a terrorist group that seeks the destruction of Israel. He urged legislators to recognize the Hamas Charter of 1988 as a blueprint for genocide against the Jewish people, likening it to a "modern-day Nazi-like final solution."

As a co-chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combatting Antisemitism, Smith commended his colleagues for authoring the Antisemitism Awareness Act. The legislation aims to incorporate the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism into Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ensuring that schools receiving federal funds address antisemitic discrimination on their campuses.

In closing, Smith expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their efforts in ensuring the safety of Jewish students, acknowledging the risks they face in mitigating threats. The passage of the Antisemitism Awareness Act marks a significant step in combating antisemitism and protecting the rights of Jewish individuals on college campuses.