Resolution

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.”

This non-binding resolution condemns statements made by Rep. Jayapal (D-WA) about the importance of understanding the policies, patterns, and power dynamics that resulted in violence in the Gaza Strip in May and suggesting that Israel might bear some responsibility, even while condemning Hamas rocket fire. The resolution smears her statements as “justifying terrorism,” which it labels “a form of anti-Semitic speech,” falsely conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism. 

This non-binding resolution links a purported increase in antisemitic acts to Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip, blaming criticism of Israel and the BDS movement for contributing to the rise. The resolution condemns boycotts for justice as the “financial, political, and economic manifestation of anti-Semitism against Israel.” The resolution does not mention Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Jerusalem neighborhoods and the uprising across historic Palestine that preceded the attacks on Gaza.

This non-binding resolution establishes an annual state-recognized Anti-Semitism Awareness Day and calls for all levels of state and local government to adopt the problematic IHRA definition of antisemitism. This distorted definition has been widely criticized for potentially encompassing any and all criticism of Israel and circumscribing protected political speech activities. The resolution was withdrawn by the sponsor soon after being introduced.

This non-binding resolution requests a committee study on the impacts of the “importance” of adopting legislation that prohibits state investments in or contracts with entities that boycott Israel. The preambular language denounces boycotts for Palestinian rights and falsely accuses BDS of spreading antisemitism. A nearly identical resolution was introduced in the House (HCR 30).