House Dems divided over planned vote on college antisemitism bill

House Democrats erstwhile again find themselves divided complete really to face antisemitism connected college campuses arsenic anti-Israel protests proceed astatine apical universities crossed nan country.

In a memo sent to lawmakers, nan House Democratic activity highlighted a cardinal elder Democrat's guidance to nan Antisemitism Awareness Act – which is expected to get a ballot this week. The measure would unit nan Department of Education to usage nan International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) meaning of antisemitism erstwhile enforcing anti-discrimination rules. 

It puts Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., a Jewish progressive who is nan apical Democrat connected nan House Judiciary Committee, astatine likelihood pinch nan 13 House Democrats who are co-sponsoring nan bill, which includes Reps. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y.; Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla.; Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J.; and Pat Ryan, D-N.Y.

Nadler was named because his committee holds jurisdiction complete nan bill.

VIRGINIA TECH POLICE PHYSICALLY CARRY AWAY ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS AMID EFFORT TO RESTORE PEACE ON CAMPUS

House Democratic leaders noted to members that Rep. Jerry Nadler, right, is opposed to a measurement addressing nan national enforcement meaning of antisemitism, but it is supported by complete a twelve Democrats, including Rep. Josh Gottheimer. (Getty Images)

House Minority Whip Katherine Clark's agency clarified to Fox News Digital that Democratic leaders are not urging nan caucus to ballot against nan measure, but Nadler's guidance will apt supply screen to a important number of left-wing lawmakers who are besides uneasy astir nan bill.

Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., who introduced nan bill, told Fox News Digital, "Jerry Nadler had nary problem supporting a very akin measure successful 2018. It is unfortunate that he is letting authorities get successful nan measurement of doing nan correct point by cowering to nan far-left."

Multiple votes having to do pinch antisemitism connected assemblage campuses person already splintered Democrats.

A solution to condemn antisemitism connected assemblage campuses, arsenic good arsenic calling for nan presidents of Harvard and MIT to measurement down, divided nan Democratic Party successful December. The measurement narrowly passed, pinch 84 Democrats voting for it and 125 against. 

In November, a measure to condemn support for Hamas and Hezbollah connected assemblage campuses overwhelmingly passed pinch conscionable 22 Democrats and 1 Republican voting against it.

HOCHUL SILENT AS PRESSURE GROWS FOR NATIONAL GUARD TO BREAK UP COLUMBIA'S ANTI-ISRAEL THRONG

A pro-Gaza ceasefire shelter encampment astatine Columbia University connected April 28, 2024. (Getty Images)

The caller Democratic activity announcement highlighted 2 circumstantial IHRA-provided definitions of antisemitism – "[d]enying nan Jewish group their correct to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that nan beingness of a State of Israel is simply a racist endeavor," and "[d]rawing comparisons of modern Israeli argumentation to that of nan Nazis."

The announcement was first reported by Axios.

IHRA's critics – which see progressives and pro-Palestinian groups – person accused nan statement of conflating anti-Zionism pinch antisemitism. 

Fox News Digital reached retired to Nadler's agency to inquire why he was against nan bill.

Nadler was 1 of 3 Democrats who released a forceful associated connection past week calling retired "dangerous antisemitic rhetoric, attacks and intimidation connected Columbia University’s campus."

'DEATH TO AMERICA' RAPIDLY EMERGING AS KEY SLOGAN OF ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS IN US

Democratic Whip Rep. Katherine Clark's agency clarified to Fox News Digital that House Democrat leaders are not urging lawmakers to ballot against nan bill. (Getty Images)

The Manhattan Ivy League schoolhouse is 1 of respective wherever students person staged shelter encampments, pinch galore protesting universities' financial ties to companies linked to Israel.

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Other Democrats, for illustration members of nan progressive "Squad," heaped praise connected those demonstrations past week. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., posted photos of herself connected Instagram pinch students camping connected nan University of Michigan campus.

"Their bravery and courageousness to guidelines up for what they judge is correct is inspiring," Tlaib wrote.

Meanwhile, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., visited nan Columbia encampment past week, from which her girl and complete a 100 different protesters were arrested earlier this month.