The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomes the decision of State Assembly and Senate Leadership not to advance the harmful IHRA Antisemitism Bill (A3558/S1292) in the New Jersey State Legislature. With the session concluding Jan. 13, the bill will not be posted for a vote.
The legislation, (A3558/S1292), seeking to codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism faced significant backlash from civil rights groups claiming it would infringe on free speech.
“The speaker [Craig Coughlin] had reached out to me and shared with me that he was not going to post the bill,” Democratic Assemblymember Gary Schaer told POLITICO last week. “That’s a result of any number of factors, including his belief that we did not have the necessary votes to get where we wanted to.”
SEE: New Jersey effort to create state definition of antisemitism stalls
Context: The bill has 36 Democratic sponsors and 18 GOP sponsors in the Assembly. (The Senate and Assembly typically advance bills that can proceed with Democratic votes alone.)
The legislation came up for a rare hearing over the summer — and has been the subject of hours long legislative hearings, with opponents citing concerns that it would stifle criticism of Israel.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“Our office has been fighting variations of this definition for more than six years. We’re glad our legislators have chosen to uphold free speech once again. While this bill is now dead for this session, we remain vigilant and call on our elected officials to continue opposing it should it be reintroduced in the future.”
“The very author of the IHRA definition of antisemitism warned against its use in policy, and that governments should not rely on or codify it out of concern for infringing upon constitutionally protected free speech. This is exactly why the bill has always failed to have support in New Jersey.”
“When a definition can turn political speech into a criminal penalty, it stops protecting communities and starts suppressing dissent. Fighting antisemitism requires clarity, nuance, and justice with enforceable measures that genuinely protect people—not a flawed and overly broad definition that punishes free expression.”
CAIR-NJ expressed appreciation for the legislators who listened to these concerns and worked collaboratively to ensure that New Jersey law continues to protect free speech and civil liberties for all residents.
BACKGROUND: CAIR, CAIR Action Release New Factsheet Exposing Dangers of IHRA Definition and Antisemitism Awareness Act
About the NJ Coalition for Free Speech
The NJ Coalition for Free Speech is a broad, multifaith, and multicultural alliance of Muslim, Jewish, Christian, K–12, higher ed, labor union, faith-based, and civil rights organizations and advocates committed to defending free speech, opposing all forms of racism and bigotry, and advancing justice and human rights for all.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Executive Director, Selaedin Maksut, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414