To the Honorable Members of the New Jersey State Legislature,

We, the undersigned citizens of New Jersey, are writing to express our strong opposition to the proposed bill seeking to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism within our state laws. We stand united in opposition not only to the adoption of this bill, but also to any efforts that seek to suppress the fundamental right to free speech, political expression, and academic freedom that is protected by both the U.S. Constitution and the New Jersey State Constitution.

This bill, by its very nature, poses a serious threat to our democratic values, constitutional rights, and freedom of expression. If passed, it would unjustly conflate criticism of Israel and Palestinian advocacy with antisemitism, thus criminalizing legitimate political discourse. In doing so, it not only infringes on First Amendment rights but also targets specific communities—particularly Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, and civil rights communities—by effectively censoring their right to engage in peaceful and constructive political activism, criticism of foreign policies, and calls for human rights.

We believe that the IHRA definition as it is currently written is vague, overly broad, and subject to abuse. The terms "demonizing" and "delegitimizing" Israel are not only subjective but also risk chilling political speech and academic inquiry, particularly in our universities, public institutions, and civic organizations. This bill would pave the way for political oppression, stifling dissent and creating an atmosphere of fear that suppresses the open dialogue and debate essential to a functioning democracy.

The proposed adoption of this bill undermines free speech, academic freedom, and the right to protest—all of which are core values enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. By empowering the state to police speech based on its perceived alignment with or against a foreign government, this bill violates the freedom of expression and political dissent that are fundamental to our nation’s fabric.

We, the citizens of New Jersey, categorically reject the use of state power to enforce a political agenda that silences critical voices. We believe that it is the duty of elected officials to ensure that all voices, regardless of their political or ideological affiliations, are heard and respected without fear of retribution or discrimination.

We call on the New Jersey State Legislature to:

Reject the adoption of the IHRA definition in its current form, as it constitutes a dangerous infringement on our civil liberties and rights.
Uphold the First Amendment by ensuring that citizens, activists, academics, and community groups are free to express their political views without fear of being unjustly labeled as antisemitic for criticizing government policies.
Pass laws that protect free speech for all citizens, regardless of their stance on political issues, especially those relating to Israel and Palestine.

Promote education and dialogue, rather than censorship, as a means to combat antisemitism, and foster tolerance, understanding, and mutual respect among all communities in New Jersey.
We want to make it clear that, as voters and citizens, we will use all legal and democratic means available to oppose the passage of this bill and any attempts to curtail our fundamental rights. If this bill is adopted, we will hold responsible parties accountable at the ballot box. This includes sponsoring lawmakers, co-sponsors, and voters who support this legislation. We will vote to remove from office those who vote in favor of this bill, as we believe that this proposed law is not in the best interest of the people of New Jersey.

This is a matter of principle and justice. We stand together in protecting the rights of all communities to express their opinions freely, regardless of their political views or affiliations. We demand that the New Jersey State Legislature respect our rights and ensure that any law passed in our state upholds the Constitution and defends the liberties that make our nation great.

We urge you to stand on the right side of history by opposing the IHRA definition and defending the rights of all New Jersey citizens.

Sincerely,

Citizens of The State of NJ