Two bills with the backing of the Combat Antisemitism Movement have been approved by the Oklahoma Senate.
By Rachel Avraham
Two bills with the backing of the Combat Antisemitism Movement have been approved by the Oklahoma Senate. One of them is SB942, which was initiated by State Senator Kristen Thompson and was passed by a 31-15 margin. According to this important piece of legislation, ““Antisemitism” has the same meaning as provided for by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Antisemitism, including its contemporary examples, as it was adopted on May 26, 2016.”
SB942 also proclaims, “Discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or marital status against a student or an employee in an institution of higher education or a public school in this state shall be prohibited. No person in this state shall, on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or marital status, be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any institution of higher education or public school program or activity or in any employment conditions or practices conducted by an institution of higher education or a public school that receives or benefits from federal or state financial assistance.”
It also declares, “Institutions of higher education and public schools shall integrate the definition of antisemitism provided for in Section 1 of this act into their student, faculty, and employee codes of conduct. Prohibited conduct as it specifically relates to antisemitism shall include harassment and discrimination against Jews in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and antidiscrimination regulations provided by the United States Department of Education and the United States Department of Justice.”
SB942 emphasizes, “Institutions of higher education and public schools shall treat harassment of or discrimination against students or employees or resulting from institutional policies or programs on their campuses motivated by or including antisemitic intent in an identical manner to discrimination motivated by race.”
This pivotal piece of legislation also calls for integrating “Jewish American heritage curriculum for students that incorporates Jewish experiences in the United States of America pre- and post-revolution, pre- and post-World War II and the Holocaust, and in modern times.” By educating the people of Oklahoma about Jewish heritage, the authors of this legislation hope to decrease the level of ignorance in the hopes that this will lower the level of antisemitism in public schools and on university campuses across the state.
However, SB942 does not satisfy itself with a re-education program. It also calls for a Title VI coordinator to investigate all complaints of antisemitism within the public school system and on university campuses in the state: “If after a reasonable investigation a Title VI coordinator determines that a public school has engaged in, allowed, or not sufficiently prohibited antisemitic discrimination, the State Department of Education shall provide written notice to the public school to address the complaint within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. If the Title VI coordinator determines that the public school has not taken the necessary actions to address the complaint within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice, the Department shall report its findings to the United States Department of Education and the United States Department of Justice by making a complaint under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”
SB942 concludes, “The Legislature is encouraged to conduct hearings and/or investigations to assess if institutions are adequately addressing antisemitic harassment and discrimination; if not, the Legislature should consider reducing or eliminating state funding to such institutions.”
The Combat Antisemitism Movement added, “Also approved by the Oklahoma State Senate on with a 27-15 vote was another measure introduced by Senator Thompson — SB 991, which would adopt the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism into Oklahoma state law, building on a January 2022 executive proclamation issued by Governor Kevin Stitt endorsing the definition.” The Combat Antisemitism Movement reported that 37 U.S. states have adopted the definition so far.
Senator Tompson announced after the Oklahoma Senate passed these two bills: “Oklahoma has always stood against hate, and today we move one step closer to ensuring our universities are equipped to recognize and respond decisively to antisemitism. Every student deserves an environment free from discrimination and fear. With this legislation, we send a clear message: hate has no place in Oklahoma. We stand united, committed to protecting the dignity and safety of all Oklahomans.”
The Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City and the Jewish Federation of Tulsa added, “The Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City and the Jewish Federation of Tulsa supports SB991 and SB942. These bills provide civil rights protections for Jewish Oklahomans and they are essential to protecting Jewish communities across Oklahoma from the rising threat of antisemitism. These bills formally adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, including its contemporary examples. This definition is a vital tool that helps institutions recognize antisemitism when it occurs, holds perpetrators accountable and creates a safer society for Jewish Oklahomans. Without these bills, Jewish Oklahomans remain vulnerable. We cannot afford ambiguity when it comes to hate.” Thompson’s bills now head to the state House for consideration, the Oklahoma Voice reported.
