April 11 (UPI) — A bipartisan group of lawmakers from both chambers of Congress have introduced a bill to combat antisemitism, which has been spiking across the nation amid Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
The Countering Antisemitism Act was unveiled Wednesday in a statement by Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., and James Lankford, R-Okla., along with Reps. Kathy Manning, D-N.C., Chis Smith, R-N.J., Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Randy Weber, R-Texas.
The bill would create the new position of White House national coordinator to counter antisemitism who would serve as the president’s principal advisor on countering domestic antisemitism and coordinate federal efforts to fight this form of hate.
A new task force would also be created to implement U.S. strategies on countering antisemitism, which would be chaired by the new national coordinator, who would also conduct analysis on the spread of antisemitism online and provide recommendations to Congress on how to counter it.
Federal agencies, including the FBI and the national Counterterrorism Center, would be required to annually produce a threat assessment of antisemitic violent extremism under the new law, while the Department of Education would be required to designate a senior official to advise on how to combat antisemitism discrimination in higher education.
“This bill will work to combat antisemitism by establishing roles to provide transparent oversight, address Holocaust denials and distortions, counter discrimination on college campuses and designate May as Jewish American Heritage Month,” Lankford said in a statement.
“Our jewish friends and neighbors should not live in fear because of their faith and heritage and this bill affirms the right to live their faith freely.”
Antisemitism has been on the rise for years in the United States, but has seen a drastic jump since the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas erupted in Gaza on Oct. 7.
According the Jewish non-governmental organization Anti-Defamation League, antisemitic incidents rose 360% during the three months following the start of the war compared to the same period a year earlier.
Several U.S.-based Jewish organizations welcomed the new legislation on Wednesday, including the ADL and the American Jewish Committee, along with the Geneva-based World Jewish Congress.
“The waves of hate that Jews have faced since Oct. 7 is something I never thought I would see in my lifetime. This meaningful bill will reinforce those battling against this devastating form of hatred,” WJC president Ronald Lauder said in a statement.
