Resolution

This non-binding resolution adopts the distorted IHRA definition of antisemitism. The definition includes the following problematic examples of antisemitism related to Israel: “[a]pplying a double standards” to Israel,” or “[d]enying the Jewish people the right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.” The definition has been widely criticized for its potential to circumscribe political speech in support of Palestinian rights in violation of the First Amendment. 

This non-binding resolution condemns boycott, divestment, and sanctions efforts and academic boycotts, in particular. The resolution falsely claims that boycotts for Palestinian rights foster discrimination against Jewish people. Similar resolutions were introduced in 2016 (HR250, which passed), and 2019 (HR40, which was defeated).

This non-binding resolution was introduced on the same day that Angela Davis was scheduled to speak at the University of South Carolina. The resolution describes Davis as “controversial,” and notes her involvement with the Communist Party, the Black Panther Party, and her support for defunding the police. The resolution also notes that she has endorsed boycotts for Palestinian rights, which the resolution falsely claims are “inspired by, and consistent with [the objectives of] Hamas.” While stopping short of an outright call to rescind her invitation to speak, the resolution calls on the university “to recognize speakers that support the mission of the university to support the historical understanding of [the] State and all perspectives that are a better and more faithful index to the needs of [the] State.” The resolution also notes an expectation “that all ideological points of view and all future speakers will be honored in like fashion in speaking at the University of South Carolina.”

This non-binding resolution takes aim at Ben & Jerry’s 2021 announcement that it would stop doing business in illegal Israeli settlements. Ben & Jerry’s and its London-based parent company, Unilever, have come under attack from Israel and its allies who have called for states to use anti-boycott laws to divest from Unilever. The resolution declares it inconsistent with Oklahoma’s anti-boycott law (HB 3967) for Oklahoma to invest any state funds in companies such as Unilever that decide not to do business with illegal settlements. Although Oklahoma’s anti-boycott law targets only state contracts and not investments, the resolution calls on the State Treasurer and Comptroller to divest the state and its retirement funds of all Unilever investments. 

This non-binding resolution condemns and calls for the censure of Representatives Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for criticizing Israel and calling for accountability for all crimes against humanity, including those committed by the U.S. and Israel. Among the statements called out for condemnation and censure are accusations that Israel has “‘committed human rights abuses,’” that it is an “‘apartheid state’” engaged in “‘ethnic cleansing’” of Palestinians, and that Israel’s military response to rockets fired by Hamas in Gaza were not acts of self-defense – all of which are claims supported by U.N. investigations and human rights organizations. The resolution smears the expression of support for Palestinian rights as resulting in anti-Jewish violence.

This non-binding resolution encourages the University of Illinois Board of Trustees to use the IHRA definition of antisemitism as a basis for recommending policies and actions to address antisemitism on campus. The distorted IHRA definition has been widely criticized for conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism, resulting in the silencing of advocates for Palestinian rights. The resolution asks the Board to report to the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois General Assembly every 180 days on steps being taken to implement such policies, which could include mandating campus training or enforcing a student code of conduct. Relying on the IHRA definition for such policies could turn criticism of Israel into a violation of the student code of conduct.

Introduced as an amendment to the Senate’s concurrent budget resolution, SA 72 provides a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to “allowing” state and local legislation prohibiting state investments in or state contracts with entities that engage in boycotts targeting Israel or territories it controls. The amendment targeting boycotts in support of Palestinian rights is based on the Combating BDS Act, which has failed to following constitutional concerns raised by activists, media, and civil liberties groups (S 1, HR 2856, S 170, HR 4514, S 2531). SA 72 was not considered.

Introduced as an amendment to the Senate’s concurrent budget resolution, SA 711 provides a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to condemning colleges and universities that “tolerate” the BDS movement, which the amendment describes as “discriminatory [and] antisemitic.” SA 711 was not considered.

Introduced as an amendment to the Senate’s concurrent budget resolution, SA 732calls for a point of order against funding to support the International Criminal Court (ICC) unless the ICC “ceases its preliminary examination of Israeli activities in the Palestinian territories.” SA 732 was not considered.

This non-binding resolution expressing support for Israel as a crucial ally of the United States falsely conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism in calling for the rejection of “anti-Semitism and hostility against the State of Israel.” The resolution also smears boycotts for Palestinian rights as supported by “radical, racist, and extremist organizations.”