Republicans and Democrats in the Virginia Legislature voted on Feb. 23 to pass House Bill 1606, which adopts the definition of antisemitism first proposed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) in 2016.
“As the chief patron of HB 1606, I am proud and honored by the overwhelming bipartisan support from the Virginia General Assembly, which represents a strong step forward in eliminating antisemitic hate and discrimination in Virginia and nationwide,” said Republican Del. Anne Ferrell Tata in a press statement. “Today, Virginia sent a firm message that intolerance will not stand in the Commonwealth.”
The IHRA’s working definition of antisemitism reads: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. 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.”…