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Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday signed a law defining antisemitism in state law, proclaiming assist for Jewish residents regardless of considerations the measure would hamper individuals opposing the actions of Israel.
The Republican governor stated by enacting the law, he was “reaffirming our commitment to a Georgia where all people can live, learn and prosper safely, because there’s no place for hate in this great state.”
Kemp likened it to when he signed a measure in 2020 that enables further penalties to be imposed for crimes motivated by a sufferer’s race, faith, sexual orientation or different elements. That hate crimes law was spurred by the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man pursued and fatally shot whereas operating close to Brunswick, Georgia.
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The antisemitism definition measure had stalled in 2023, however was pushed with recent urgency this yr amid the Israel-Hamas warfare and a reported surge in antisemitic incidents in Georgia. Sponsors say adopting the 2016 definition put ahead by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance will assist prosecutors and different officers establish hate crimes and unlawful discrimination concentrating on Jewish individuals. That may result in greater penalties below the 2020 hate crimes law.
The definition, which is simply referred to in the bill, describes antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
Georgia’s Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is seen at an occasion hosted by radio host Erick Erickson in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 18, 2023. Gov. Kemp signed a bill defining antisemitism in state law on Jan. 31, 2024. (Megan Varner/Getty Images)
Kenneth Stern, the creator of IHRA’s definition, advised The Associated Press that utilizing such language in law is problematic, as a result of an rising variety of Jews have adopted an antizionist place in opposition to Israeli actions.
Lawmakers in greater than a half-dozen further U.S. states are pushing legal guidelines to outline antisemitism.
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Opponents of the Georgia law warned it could be used to censor free speech rights with criticism of Israel equated to hatred of Jewish individuals. A coalition of organizations, together with Jewish Voice for Peace and CAIR, issued a joint assertion saying that the Georgia bill “falsely equates critiques of Israel and Zionism with discrimination against Jewish people.”
But supporters say the definition will solely come into play after somebody has dedicated a criminal offense. State Rep. John Carson, a Marietta Republican who was one of many bill’s sponsors, stated he believed the measure could be challenged in courtroom the primary time it’s used, however predicted it could be upheld.
“I’m very confident this will stand up, like it has in other states,” Carson stated.
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