Move the Antisemitism Consciousness Act — NOW!
Sufficient.
Each week, one other horrific act of antisemitism reminds us that we’re witnessing an epidemic of hatred infecting our nation and world.
Final week, it was Rabbi Zvi Kogan’s horrific homicide by the hands of Uzbekistani terrorists employed by Iran.
The week earlier than it was a modern-day pogrom in Amsterdam.
Earlier than that, there was a taking pictures of an Orthodox Jew on his strategy to Shabbat providers in Chicago.
Tomorrow, it’s going to, sadly, be one thing else.
And that doesn’t even rely the rank antisemitism at locations just like the United Nations, or on the Worldwide Felony Court docket, which simply despatched out warrants for the arrest of Israel’s leaders for the “crime” of defending their nation from blood-thirsty terrorists.
Jews are bored with senators and congressmen posting heartfelt tweets and empty guarantees.
We’re bored with the reasons for not taking motion. Sufficient.
We would like motion. Now.
And there’s motion lawmakers can take.
For months, Jewish leaders and non-Jewish allies have urged Congress to go the Antisemitism Consciousness Act to fight the rampant antisemitic protests and assaults on school campuses.
We have been off to a promising begin when the AAA sailed by way of the Home of Representatives within the spring by a beneficiant vote of 320-91, and 30 senators from each side of the aisle jumped to sponsor the Senate model.
Then the invoice floor to a halt.
Frightened of antagonizing their left-wing activist base and placing susceptible senators on the document, particularly proper earlier than the November election, Democrats delayed bringing the AAA to the Senate flooring for a vote.
Now, the election is over, however the political video games proceed.
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer floated the concept of together with the AAA within the Nationwide Protection Authorization Act — which should go Congress earlier than 12 months’s finish — however there was no signal of motion.
In the meantime, Home Speaker Mike Johnson has mentioned he opposes together with the AAA within the NDAA. He hopes to press the Senate to take a standalone vote to carry members accountable.
Frankly, we who’ve labored on the AAA invoice from its inception don’t care one bit the way it passes Congress — as long as it passes and is signed into legislation. Now.
You’ll be able to’t fight antisemitism if you happen to can’t — or received’t — outline it.
Trendy antisemites conceal their hate behind virulent anti-Zionism. They use this ploy to keep away from legal responsibility underneath Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act.
They declare a free go as a result of they aren’t concentrating on Jews with their requires an intifada and Remaining Answer. They’re merely opposing the one Jewish state on the planet and those that help it.
The Antisemitism Consciousness Act targets this loophole by codifying that the Division of Training should use the Worldwide Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism in its software of Title VI.
This definition contains the trendy antisemitism of our second: the concentrating on of Jews utilizing rhetoric and actions associated to Israel and Zionism.
The AAA additionally sends a transparent message to school presidents and directors who fail to guard Jewish college students and provides free reign to antisemites working amok on campus.
The November elections herald the prospect that vast change is coming to Washington, however some issues appear as damaged as ever.
When Congress can’t go one of the vital common, bipartisan payments on the books — perhaps the issue isn’t the invoice, however Congress.
If you’re a politician who claims to care about antisemitism in America, reject the political video games and demand a vote on the Antisemitism Consciousness Act now.
Not in January. Now.
As a result of we who really feel the cloud of antisemitism hovering above us have had sufficient.
Nathan Diament is the manager director of the Orthodox Union Advocacy Middle (OUA).
Twitter: @ndiament
