Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and four co-sponsors introduced a resolution on June 15 “unequivocally” condemning antisemitism and praising the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.
Sens. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) co-sponsored the resolution stating that the IHRA definition is “a valuable tool for identifying and combating acts of antisemitism in all its manifestations.” The resolution encourages federal, state and local government entities, as well as academic institutions, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders to adopt the IHRA definition.
Morton A. Klein, national president of the Zionist Organization of America, praised the resolution in a statement, particularly after the White House national strategy to counter antisemitism said U.S. President Joe Biden “‘welcomes and appreciates as a valuable tool’ the dangerous ‘Nexus’ definition of antisemitism.”
“It explicitly states that the government at all levels should ‘exclusively utilize the IHRA working definition of antisemitism,’” Klein said of the new resolution. “Supporting BDS is antisemitism. Proclaiming victory when the administration muddies the waters on this exact point is counterproductive and delusional.”
Daniel Pollak, ZOA director of government relations, also praised the bill. “The only thing missing in this resolution so far are Democratic co-sponsors,” he stated. “ZOA will be working hard to get the many Democratic senators who should agree with this resolution to support it.”
