Defeated

Originally a bill about small business assistance, HB 2282 was amended in the Senate to become an antisemitism redefinition bill that requires public schools to use the distorted IHRA definition and its problematic examples of antisemitism when teaching students about the Holocaust. The IHRA definition would encompass nearly all criticism of Israel, circumscribing protected political speech. The definition includes examples that conflate criticism with Israel with antisemitism, such as “Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor” and “Applying double standards by requiring of [Israel] a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.” The amended version passed in the Senate, but failed to move forward in the House.

This amendment to the 2021 COVID Relief Bill, introduced in the House Rules Committee, would have prohibited funding in the bill from going to “any nongovernmental organization, contractor, or grantee that promotes the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movements against the State of Israel.” The amendment was voted down by the Committee. 

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.

Introduced as an amendment to S. 1260 and adopted in committee, this provision excludes countries that boycott Israel or its illegal settlements from the bill’s $100 million investment in global technological advancements. The bill adopts the definition of boycotts provided in the 2015 Trade Promotion Authority law. The anti-boycott amendment was introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in the midst of Israel’s assault on Gaza and ongoing ethnic cleansing in Jerusalem neighborhoods. While there are few countries that boycott Israel, Cruz’s amendment is aimed at chilling boycotts in support of Palestinian rights. The anti-boycott provisions were part of the version of the bill that passed the Senate in June 2021. 

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 affirmative bill would repeal the state’s anti-boycott provisions put in place by HF 400. A similar affirmative bill was introduced in 2019 (SF 2880). Related bill: SF 1039.