A controversial bill that would expand the federal definition of antisemitism to include criticism of the state of Israel was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this week.
The bill’s passage comes at a time when Israel is increasingly isolated on the world stage because of how it has conducted its war against Hamas in Gaza. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict.
It also comes as criticism of Israel has surged in the U.S. and as protests calling for divestment from Israel have spread across college campuses. Most of New Jersey’s representatives supported the bill. Only Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12th) and Rep. Andy Kim (D-3rd) opposed it. The bill is unlikely to be taken up by the Senate.
Meanwhile, both the House and Senate last month passed a bill, which has since been signed by President Biden, that expands the federal government’s ability to monitor the internet activity of American citizens. Under the new law, federal authorities do not need a warrant to access communications sent over public Wi-Fi networks between American citizens and foreign nationals.
The law, an expansion of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, has been criticized by civil rights groups and privacy advocates. Both of New Jersey’s senators opposed it, as did Watson Coleman, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th), Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd) and Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th).
Benjamin Hulac, NJ Spotlight News’ Washington correspondent, breaks down the latest action on Capitol Hill.
