Pro-Israel advocates and activists are disappointed and frustrated with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for not yet scheduling a vote on a bill aimed at addressing antisemitism on college campuses. They fear that this delay could result in the bill being weakened or even derailed completely. Elan Carr, CEO of the Israeli-American Council, and Rabbi Abrahm Cooper, former chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, have expressed their concerns about the slow progress of the bill.
The bill in question, the Antisemitism Awareness Act, was passed in a bipartisan manner on May 1. It aims to require the Department of Education to adopt the same definition of antisemitism as the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) to address antisemitism cases on college campuses. Senate Majority Leader Schumer has promised to bring this bill to a vote before the end of the year, potentially attaching it to a must-pass defense bill during the lame-duck session after the election.
However, some Republican senators have opposed the bill, citing concerns about free speech limitations. Despite this, Schumer’s spokesperson has indicated his commitment to passing impactful legislation to counter antisemitism. Proponents of the bill, like Elan Carr, are worried that delaying the vote until after the election could jeopardize its chances of passing and may lead to amendments that weaken its effectiveness.
The Lawfare Project, a nonprofit organization that offers legal assistance to protect the civil rights of the Jewish community, has criticized Schumer for his lack of leadership on this issue. They argue that antisemitism should not be a partisan issue and call for bipartisan efforts to combat Jew-hatred on college campuses. The delay in bringing the Antisemitism Awareness Act to a vote is seen as a missed opportunity to address a pressing civil rights issue in the country.
In light of the ongoing crisis of antisemitism on college campuses, advocates emphasize the importance of passing this legislation promptly. They urge Senator Schumer to act now and ensure that the bill is not watered down or compromised in any way. Protecting students from antisemitism should be a bipartisan commitment that transcends political calculations and prioritizes the safety and well-being of all individuals on campus.