Representative Matt Gaetz from Florida criticized the House’s antisemitism law as a “ridiculous hate speech bill” before the vote on Wednesday.
The House passed a law to stop antisemitism on college campuses. This happened while there were protests supporting Palestine at American universities. Gaetz disagreed with the law before the vote. He said that some parts of the Bible could be considered antisemitic under this law.
Gaetz wrote on a social media site, “This evening, I will vote AGAINST the ridiculous hate speech bill called the ‘Antisemitism Awareness Act.’” He continued, “Antisemitism is wrong, but this legislation is written without regard for the Constitution, common sense, or even the common understanding of the meaning of words. The Gospel itself would meet the definition of antisemitism under the terms of this bill!”
The law would make the Department of Education use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. Gaetz said that according to this definition, some parts of the Bible could be considered antisemitic.
He said, “The Bible is clear. There is no myth or controversy on this. Therefore, I will not support this bill.”
The IHRA says antisemitism is “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.” The law would also include modern forms of antisemitism like calling the existence of Israel racist.
Another representative, Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia, also disagreed with the law. She said it could punish Christians who believe in the Gospel.
However, Representatives Mike Lawler and Jared Moskowitz defended the law. They said it wouldn’t make believing in the Gospel illegal.
The House passed the law with a vote of 320-91. Now it will go to the Senate for consideration.
