Louisiana senator wants controversial definition of antisemitism in state law

Then state Rep. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, presents a bill on the Louisiana House floor on May 23, 2023. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

A Louisiana state lawmaker plans to introduce legislation that would enshrine a controversial definition of antisemitism in law in response to increased tension on college campuses.

Sen. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, plans to introduce the legislation in the regular session next year that would use the working definition of anti-semitism the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance adopted in 2016.

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews,” the definition states. “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.”

This definition — and the accompanying examples — have been a source of controversy on college campuses, as it has been used at times to censor anti-Zionist views that oppose the existence of the state of Israel.

The author of the definition, Kenneth Stern, has repeatedly disavowed its use on college campuses and has been critical of its use to censor speech on campus .

Discussions of antisemitism on college campus have been reignited in the past year since the  Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack in Jerusalem and the ongoing military response in Gaza from Israel. Months of pro-Palestine student protests have unfolded across the United States. Several university presidents have been ousted or resigned from their jobs after intense public and political backlash related to their handling of the protests.

In an interview, Hodges said she does not plan to define criticism of the existence of the state of Israel in her bill defining antisemitism, citing her desire to protect free speech.

“We definitely, under no circumstances, want to put a chill on free speech,” Hodges said. “It’s different when a professor or a government leader says, ‘I think all the Jews should be killed.’ That’s not protected free speech.”

Hodges said she has not yet decided whether to include penalties in the bill for professors who do violate the definition.

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