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Heated, divided public comment on IHRA antisemitism definition as Joint Judiciary hears bill
Summary
Dozens of speakers testified for and against a bill to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism. Supporters said the definition clarifies hateful conduct; opponents said it would chill free speech and conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
The Joint Committee on the Judiciary heard more than an hour of public testimony both supporting and opposing House Bill 17‑63, which would adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism into state practice. Supporters, including Robin Goldstein and members of the Massachusetts Antisemitism Task Force, said the definition offers clarity and tools to identify and respond to incidents they described as rising in the state. Goldstein…
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