A recent roundtable discussion hosted by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) in Selma, Alabama, saw nine Alabama mayors considering adopting city ordinances to expand the definition of antisemitism in city statutes. The event took place on the 60th anniversary of ‘Bloody Sunday’ at Selma University. CAM presented the ‘Municipal Antisemitism Action Index,’ which includes policy proposals to combat antisemitism at the city level.
Among the policies advocated for include anti-BDS policies, increased security for Jewish institutions, Holocaust education in schools, and the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism. However, critics argue that this definition may threaten free speech by conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed expressed interest in adopting such policies, including recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month and strengthening hate crime laws. Other mayors, like Orbuty Ozier of Gordonville, are considering the proposals but want to carefully assess the potential impacts.
CAM emphasizes the need to combat rising antisemitism while ensuring that First Amendment rights are respected. Efforts to codify the IHRA definition of antisemitism at the federal level have faced pushback from critics who believe it suppresses legitimate criticism of Israel. Overall, the mayors are looking to strike a balance between protecting Jewish residents and upholding citizens’ rights to free speech in the fight against antisemitism.
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