Rhode Island

S0649 is an antisemitism redefinition bill that adopts the distorted IHRA definition of antisemitism, including its contemporary examples that target advocacy for Palestinian rights, into state anti-discrimination law. The explanation accompanying the text states, “ This act would define “anti-Semitism” for the state human affairs commission to use while investigating and working to resolve complaints of discrimination and for the commission against prejudice and bias to use in defining hate crimes.”

This anti-boycott bill prohibits state contracts with businesses engaged in discriminatory boycotts based on “race, color, religion, gender, or nationality of the targeted person, firm, entity or public entity of a foreign state.” 

This anti-boycott bill prohibits state contracts with businesses unless they provide a written certification that they are not and will not engage in a boycott of persons or entities based in or doing business with or agencies of “a jurisdiction with whom the state can enjoy open trade.” The bill provides exceptions for bids at least 20% less than other bids and excludes contracts worth less than $10,000. Because H7736 defines boycotts as those “based on race, color, religion, gender, or nationality” of the targeted entity, boycotts for justice fall outside its scope. 

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 The resolution was withdrawn by the sponsor soon after being introduced.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 opposes United Nations Security Council Resolution 2234, claiming it lends legitimacy to “unjustified boycotts or divestment campaigns against Israel.” UN Security Council Resolution 2334 reaffirmed that Israel’s illegal settlements constitute a flagrant violation of international law. The US broke from its practice of blocking UN accountability measures focused on Israel and abstained rather than vetoing the resolution, causing consternation among pro-Israel groups.