On Monday, June 23, a coalition of civil rights, student, Muslim, Jewish, and Palestinian advocacy groups will hold a rally and testify at the New Jersey State House to oppose Assembly Bill A3558, which seeks to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism into state law and would chill free speech on Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
The IHRA definition is dangerous because it conflates legitimate criticism of Israeli government policies with antisemitism and threatens free speech protections, particularly for those advocating for Palestinian human rights and speaking out against Israel’s genocide. A3558 is scheduled for a committee vote on Monday, with little public notice or transparency.
The rally and testimony will call on lawmakers to reject the bill and defend the constitutional right to political advocacy and dissent.
Community members are encouraged to attend in person to testify or submit written testimony online. A3558 is an alarming attempt to silence voices critical of Israel under the guise of combating antisemitism.
CAIR has previously opposed similar legislation that codifies the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
WHAT: Rally and Testimony Opposing A3558 and the IHRA Definition in New Jersey
WHO: New Jersey-based civil rights, student, Muslim, Jewish, and Palestinian advocacy groups; impacted individuals
WHEN: Monday, June 23
RALLY: 8:30 a.m. ET
COMMITTEE HEARING: 10:00 a.m. ET
WHERE: Committee Room 12, 4th Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ
CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, 551-208-5482, aelamroussi@cair.com
The IHRA definition has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and the ACLU, for its potential to criminalize or chill legitimate speech related to Palestinian rights and foreign policy critique.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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