Hundreds Sign Petition Opposing the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism
A definition adopted by the Ulster County Legislature equates criticism of Israel with antisemitism, according to over 470 petition signers in the Hudson Valley. The petition is sponsored by MECR, JVP-HV, WIB, DSA-HV, and Bard SJP. The signed petition will be presented to the Dutchess and Ulster county legislatures.
Petition signers argue that governmental agencies and institutions are weaponizing the IHRA definition to censure free speech and penalize students, workers, faculty, and others, in violation of First Amendment free speech rights. The definition includes examples of antisemitism, many of which claim that criticism of the state of Israel is anti-Semitic. If adopted already, as New York State and some counties have done, the IHRA definition must be amended or replaced. "We cannot allow protestors, teachers, students, workers, and public officials to be exposed to criminal liability, censure, firing, or false accusations of antisemitism simply because they dare criticize the state of Israel.
If you live in Dutchess or Ulster county, please help us get to 500 signers.