Republicans and Democrats in the Virginia Legislature voted on Feb. 23 to pass House Bill 1606, which adopts the definition of antisemitism first proposed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) in 2016.
“As the chief patron of HB 1606, I am proud and honored by the overwhelming bipartisan support from the Virginia General Assembly, which represents a strong step forward in eliminating antisemitic hate and discrimination in Virginia and nationwide,“ said Republican Del. Anne Ferrell Tata in a press statement. ”Today, Virginia sent a firm message that intolerance will not stand in the Commonwealth.”
The IHRA’s working definition of antisemitism reads: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
Tata called the definition “a tool and a guide for training, educating, recognizing, and combating antisemitism,” which will help law enforcement stop the escalation of these types of incidences.
Vicki Fishman from the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC) spoke in favor of the bill and urged lawmakers to vote for it.
“We represent the vast mainstream of our local Jewish community with a population of more than 150,000 people. ... I am here today to tell you that there is a broad Jewish community consensus around the IHRA definition,” Fishman said.
The Virginia Coalition for Human Rights (VCHR), which advocates for the rights of Palestinian people, opposed the measure, saying it would prevent critics of Israel from exercising their First Amendment rights to criticize the government for its treatment of Palestinians.
“While opposing antisemitism, I believe I should have the right to speak out on actions of the Israeli government and their policies. I am not speaking negatively about Jewish people,” said Patti Brockmeyer, a VCHR member.
“This bill is an un-American attempt to equate criticism of a brutal foreign occupying power with bigotry,” said Katherine Akbar, a former U.S. Foreign Service officer who said she has lived under Israeli occupation.
Democrat House Delegates Charniele Herring and Don Scott said they could not support the bill because there was too much opposition from Virginians.
“I’m torn,“ Herring said. ”I fully support efforts to reduce and eliminate antisemitism, and I also have heard an alarming large number of constituents and experts saying that this is not the way to do it.”
In response, Democrat Del. Eileen Filler-Corn responded by saying that the public needs to be educated on how pervasive antisemitism is.
“It’s a serious, serious problem. It’s getting worse, throughout the Commonwealth and throughout our nation. It’s real, and it’s here,” said Filler-Corn.
“Unfortunately, the IHRA definition has been misinterpreted by some folks, as we have heard. Let me be very clear as we heard from some of our witnesses. This IHRA definition does not in any way prevent anyone from speaking out or criticizing the state of Israel,” said Filler-Corn.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin praised the passing of the bill, adding that it’s a key step to combating antisemitism and hate.
“I am truly inspired by the devotion shown to transform what started as an idea into a law that will change how we combat antisemitism in the commonwealth,” said Youngkin.
In early February, Attorney General Jason Miyares announced the creation of an Antisemitism Task Force to “monitor, combat, and educate Virginians about hate against Jewish people.”
