MADISON – A pastor led a prayer beside the looming Roman-style columns. We are all here, well dressed and ready to professionally do the right thing for the people of Wisconsin, he said.
Wishful thinking in our politically charged world, perhaps? At best, the political fireworks that followed were quiet and stately. This was the last day of business for the state Senate, on March 17, and it was a fast-talking race through bills that kept hitting political snags.
Points of order kept popping up. Democrats gave impassioned speeches about one bill and were told repeatedly to keep their comments “germane” to the discussion, under the rules. Instead of voice votes, procedural maneuvers were repeatedly used to compel roll call votes, where each state senator’s vote is recorded.
But when the one-day sprint through dozens of bills arrived at a proposed law to define antisemitism – a measure that has drawn both strong Jewish support and controversy from varied corners – that months-long kerfuffle ended with a whimper, not a bang. The state Senate passed the antisemitism bill unanimously on a rapid voice vote.
The bill is headed to Gov. Tony Evers’ desk, and advocates are hopeful he will sign it..
The Milwaukee Jewish Federation issued a statement applauding the Senate passage of SB445/AB446, describing it as anti-hate legislation based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. The Senate passed its consensus vote after an earlier Assembly vote of 66-33 in favor of passage of the companion bill AB446.
The Federation and its allies worked towards passage of the bill, repeatedly bringing speakers to hearings and communicating with legislators. Advocates are celebrating the months-long effort as a success.
“We are proud that Wisconsin is joining 37 other states and numerous other nations in adopting legislation that traces back to the Obama administration’s effort to address a global rise in antisemitism. We commend both bodies, and especially Democratic and Republican legislators who understand that this isn’t about partisan politics — it is about ensuring the State of Wisconsin has an important tool to respond to antisemitism in Wisconsin,” the statement read.
Hundreds of members of the Jewish community throughout the state advocated in support of the IHRA bill, along with many local and national Jewish organizations. The Federation statement expressed gratitude to Forward Latino, National Association of Social Workers – Wisconsin Chapter, Wisconsin Catholic Conference, and Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools for their respective support of Wisconsin adopting the IHRA definition.
The IHRA definition of antisemitism defines antisemitism as a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews, or in holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of the nation of Israel. It includes both rhetorical and physical manifestations directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals, their property, and Jewish institutions. The definition is accompanied by examples that illustrate how antisemitism appears today, from classic conspiracy theories to rhetoric that denies Jewish people the right to self-determination, according to Federation.
Opponents of these bills allege that they would prohibit criticism of the State of Israel and would silence free speech. But the Federation and other advocates point out that the IHRA definition does not regulate speech or create penalties. It simply gives governments, educators, and institutions a consistent tool for identifying antisemitic bias when enforcing existing anti-discrimination and hate-crime laws.
Both advocates and opponents flew in from out of state to make their impassioned cases at prior hearings. Citizens showed up to speak out. But in the end, the bill quietly passed its last legislative hurdle.
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