"Data released in February by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) showed an astounding 57% increase in anti-Semitic incidents across the United States in 2017, including physical assaults, vandalism, and attacks on Jewish institutions...
The Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, or AAA, was drafted to help the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recognize anti-Semitic incidents on campus by using the U.S. State Department's definition of anti-Semitism to evaluate complaints under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act...
The AAA was drafted to address the problem by providing the OCR with a definition of anti-Semitism-one that has been used by the U.S. State Department for many years and has been endorsed by more than 50 countries as the global gold standard for defining and recognizing anti-Semitism...
The State Department's definition goes on to list examples of anti-Semitism, including 'Anti-Semitism Relative to Israel.'
While the definition makes clear that 'criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic,' it recognizes that anti-Semitism may be found in efforts to demonize Israel (e.g., by '[u]sing the symbols and images associated with classic anti-Semitism to characterize Israel or Israelis'); to apply a double standard to Israel, or to delegitimize Israel (e.g., by 'denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, and denying Israel the right to exist.')...
It is critical, now more than ever, that college and university campuses remain spaces where Jewish students can learn without fear of anti-Semitic assault or harassment. That is their right. The AAA seeks to protect that right consistent with the right of free speech.
In examining whether anti-Semitic activity is 'severe, persistent, or pervasive' enough to constitute an actionable hostile environment under Title VI, it is crucial that the OCR be able to recognize anti-Semitism in action. It is time for the AAA to be passed into law."