RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina House moved on Wednesday toward adopting a new definition of antisemitism under state law that lawmakers say is necessary to clearly outline examples of antisemitic incidents that shouldn’t be tolerated.

Critics of the bill being spearheaded by House Speaker Tim Moore, which received bipartisan support, argued as it was being fast-tracked through the House that the definition being considered is too broad, and could chill constitutionally protected speech like criticisms of Israel.

But lawmakers in both parties that supported House Bill 942, named the “Shalom Act,” rejected the notion that it would infringe on free expression, and said it shouldn’t be controversial to adopt a definition that several other states and countries have adopted as well.

After clearing a committee on Wednesday morning, the bill was taken up directly on the House floor Wednesday afternoon, passing in a near-unanimous 105-4 vote.

Democratic Reps. Pricey Harrison, Nasif Majeed, Marcia Morey, and Renée Price voted against the bill.

What is the IHRA definition of anitsemitism?

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance adopted a working definition of antisemitism in 2016.

The definition, which the IHRA stresses is not legally binding, states that “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.”

Groups opposed to the bill noted that seven of the 11 contemporary examples of antisemitism listed on the IHRA’s website relate to criticism of Israel.

One of the listed examples of antisemitism is “...claiming that the existence of a state of Israel is a racist endeavor.”

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