Louisiana Senator Proposes Antisemitism Legislation

BATON ROUGE, La. (KPEL News) - Following the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas, the United States has seen a marked increase in antisemitic acts and attacks. There have also been a large number of protests popping up across college campuses since then. In an effort to curb the trend and ensure the safety of Jewish students and residents, Louisiana State Senator Valarie Hodges said Thursday that she is working on legislation for the 2025 regular session that will include a definition of antisemitism with respect to the growing violence on college campuses.

During the 2024 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, Sen. Hodges authored Act 584 which protects free speech on college campuses but also prohibits the violence which has plagued college campuses since the Hamas attacks that took place in Israel.

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TENS OF THOUSANDS KILLED FOLLOWING OCTOBER 7 ATTACK

After the brutal attacks on October 7th, the resulting war has led to tens of thousands of deaths.  Over thirty of the murder victims were Americans, and Hamas is still holding eight Americans among the hundreds of hostages.

Hodges, R- Denham Springs, has authored legislation expressing support for Israel as America's closest ally in the Middles East in each of the 13 years she has held state office at the Louisiana Legislature.

“It is important that we remember that six million Jews died in the Holocaust during World War II and that even today many Jews are subjected to antisemitism and live in constant fear of violence,” Sen. Hodges said. She continued:

“Israel’s response to the brutal and unwarranted attack by Hamas on October 7th has sparked protests and acts of antisemitism, especially on college campuses. While the First Amendment protects protestors’ right to free speech, it does not protect violence.”

LEGISLATION TO INCLUDE WORKING DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM

Hodges said her legislation will include the working definition of antisemitism that was adopted on May 26, 2016, by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. That definition states: “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.”