New York, NY, February 5, 2025…ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today applauds the re-introduction of the Antisemitism Awareness Act, a critical piece of legislation aimed at combating the rising tide of antisemitism across the United States. The bipartisan bill, reintroduced in Congress by Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) and Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) will ensure the Department of Education has a clear framework for identifying and addressing antisemitic discrimination, particularly on college and university campuses.
“Antisemitism in the U.S. is at crisis levels,” Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director said at a press conference today with members of Congress in Washington, D.C. “Since Hamas’s barbaric attack on Israel, we’ve tracked over 10,000 antisemitic incidents—the highest ever recorded in a single year. This crisis is not just about numbers; it’s about Jewish Americans being harassed and attacked simply for being Jewish. The Antisemitism Awareness Act reinforces federal policy and ensures the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism remains the standard for addressing antisemitic discrimination in education. I urge Congress to act now and pass this vital, bipartisan bill.”
The Antisemitism Awareness Act directs the U.S. Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism when enforcing anti-discrimination laws under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. This definition, which has been widely adopted by governments and institutions worldwide, includes contemporary examples of antisemitism, such as Holocaust denial, conspiracy theories, and the delegitimization of Jewish self-determination.
Last week ADL released the Campus Antisemitism One Year After the Hamas Terrorist Attacks report and found over 83 percent of Jewish college students experienced or witnessed antisemitism firsthand and almost half of the respondents felt they must hide their Jewish identity in order to be safe on campuses.
This legislative effort comes as the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the formation of a multi-agency Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order on Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism. The Task Force, coordinated through the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, will prioritize rooting out antisemitic harassment in schools and on college campuses, working in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and other federal agencies.
ADL has long advocated for stronger measures to combat antisemitism in education and public life. The re-introduction of this bill underscores the urgent need for federal action to address the alarming surge in antisemitic incidents. ADL urges Congress to pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act without delay and will continue to work with lawmakers, civil rights organizations, and community leaders to ensure its fast enactment.
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all. More at www.adl.org.