Jewish Democrat Sara Jacobs on Voting Against Bill: Anti-Zionism Not “Inherently” Anti-Semitism

Jewish Representative Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) said she voted against the bill that would crack down on anti-Semitism on college campuses because, in her opinion, anti-Zionism is not “inherently” anti-Semitism, and the measure that was approved in the Chamber would “stifle” the rights to freedom of expression.

Jacobs shared her explanation by drawing on her own experience of facing anti-Semitism in her personal life and adding that she is “deeply concerned” about its rise across the country.

“As a Jewish woman, I have experienced anti-Semitism my entire life,” Jacobs said in one declaration after the approval of the bill in the lower house. “I was called a kike while waiting for a drink at a bar when I was in college. I’ve heard a lot of ‘jokes’ about my curly hair and big nose.”

“I remember my classmates thinking it was funny to say that people were ‘being Jewish’ when someone was being frugal,” she continued. “I know the hate and ignorance behind all of these comments and how they can quickly escalate into violence – and I am deeply concerned about the rise of anti-Semitism in San Diego and across the country.”

The California Democrat said she supports Israel’s right to exist, but that she knows many who question that and are “deeply” connected to Judaism.

“But I don’t believe that anti-Zionism is inherently anti-Semitism. I support Israel’s right to exist, but I also know many people who question whether Israel should exist as a Jewish state and who are deeply connected to their Judaism,” Jacobs said.

She, along with 69 Democrats, voted against the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act. The bill would require the Department of Education, when enforcing anti-discrimination laws, to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism. The bill would codify the measure’s definition of anti-Semitism, and all institutions receiving federal funding would be required to comply.

The IHRA definition Furthermore, anti-Semitism is “a certain perception of Jews, which can be expressed as hatred of Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed at Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, Jewish communal institutions, and religious facilities.”

The bill passed with a vote of 320 to 91. The 70 Democrats joined 21 Republicans in opposing the measure that now heads to the Senate.

The bill’s approval comes as pro-Palestine protests take place on college campuses across the country, with some expressions trending toward anti-Semitism.

Jacobs said the bill does not “effectively” address the rise in anti-Semitism and restricts First Amendment rights.

“Today, I voted against H.R. 6090 because it does not effectively address the very real rise in anti-Semitism while defunding colleges and universities across the country and punishing many, if not all, of the non-violent protesters who demonstrate against the Israeli government. military conduct,” she said.

“Conflating free speech and hate crimes will not make Jewish students safer,” she continued. “This bill would stifle First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly. And that would distract from real anti-Semitism and our efforts to confront it.”