HB 1274 aims to redefine antisemitism in Georgia to include criticisms of the Israeli government. This is a blatant attempt to stifle our First Amendment rights as United States citizens while doing nothing to meaningfully address the root cause of most antisemitism: white supremacism.
TAKE ACTION: EMAIL YOUR ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
On February 7, 2022, a bill was introduced in the Georgia General Assembly that would redefine antisemitism in Georgia to include criticisms of the state of Israel. Labeling support for Palestinian rights as anti-Jewish is one of the primary tactics used to attempt to silence political debate.
Calling for freedom, justice, and equality for Palestinians is rooted in principles of human rights and dignity.
This bill, HB 1274, does nothing to address the main cause of antisemitism in the United States, which is white supremacy. Conflating antisemitism with legitimate criticism of the state of Israel weakens the definition of the term antisemitism and shifts the focus away from actual bigotry and hatred spreading all over the United States.
HB 1274 flies in the face of our First Amendment rights as U.S. citizens. It is considered patriotic to criticize our government, yet if this bill were to become law, critiques of U.S. policy, the Israeli government, and other countries would be criminalized.
HB 1274 passed out of committee last week and will soon head to the floor of the Georgia House of Representatives. Email or call your representative today and demand they oppose this insidious piece of legislation and the danger it poses to our rights as citizens of Georgia and the U.S.