Iowa bills would codify definition of antisemitism, prohibit state funds for companies that boycott

Iowa lawmakers on Wednesday voted to define antisemitism in Iowa Code, bringing a previously controversial bill to a bipartisan vote in the House.

Lawmakers later clashed over a separate bill aimed at companies that boycott Israel.

Defining antisemitism

House File 2220 defines antisemitism in Iowa code and instructs the state to consider antisemitism in the investigation of a discriminatory act. State employees would also undergo training on antisemitism.

“Defining antisemitism is necessary to be able to combat it,” Rep. Sandy Salmon, R-Janesville, said.

The bill would define antisemitism by the language adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in 2016, including a list of contemporary examples of antisemitism.

Read more: https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/iowa-bills-would-codify-definition-of-antisemitism-prohibit-state-funds-for-companies-that-boycott-israel/