(JNS) StandWithUs commends the state of Arizona for overwhelmingly passing (by a 49-4 vote) important legislation to help confront antisemitic crimes and discrimination. By passing HB 2675 on April 19, 2022, Arizona now joins the ranks of Florida, Iowa, South Carolina, and Tennessee in codifying the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism and making sure it is taken into account by state authorities when investigating incidents of crime or unlawful discrimination.
At a time in which antisemitism festers throughout the country and world, measures like these remain necessary to help guide authorities in better classifying, addressing, and preventing anti-Semitic hate crimes. The IHRA definition of antisemitism (and its examples) has emerged as the gold standard definition, being adopted or endorsed by 865 entities worldwide, including 37 countries worldwide, and more domestically, the U.S. Departments of Education and State. Its universal acceptance is indicated by its adoption from the Global Imams Council.
CEO of StandWithUs Roz Rothstein, observes, “Historically, antisemitism has been so deadly due to its evolving nature, making it difficult to identify and address. Arizona’s legislation is a first step in the right direction given that the IHRA definition addresses contemporary antisemitism and provides examples of such behavior.”
Arizona’s law does not infringe upon free speech but rather prepares state officials in their efforts to identify when crimes escalate into hate crimes.
StandWithUs looks forward to seeing Arizona codify HB 2675 into law, and meanwhile thanks those on both sides of aisles who made this milestone possible, including Rep. Leo Biasiucci, Sen. Paul Boyer, Senate President Karen Fann, Sen. David Gowan, Rep. Alma Hernandez, and Rep. Robert Meza. StandWithUs hopes that many other states will follow suit in light of Arizona’s recent example to combat antisemitism at large.
*
Preceding provided by the JNS Wire