Maine Judiciary Committee Split Over Adopting IHRA Definition of Antisemitism; Wide public testimony both for and against

Representative Abigail Griffin presented LD 13 51 to the Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary, proposing that Maine adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism so that investigations and prosecutions would expressly consider antisemitic motive where relevant.

Why it matters: Supporters said a clear working definition would help law enforcement, prosecutors and administrators identify antisemitic motivations behind crimes and harassment. Opponents said the IHRA definition’s contemporary examples conflate legitimate criticism of Israeli government policy with antisemitism, risk chilling free speech and academic freedom, and could impose new administrative burdens if adopted into state law or the Maine Human Rights Act.

Proponents and reasoning: Jake Bennett of the Israeli American Council described the bill as a narrow measure to “define antisemitism” and said federal agencies and 33 states use the IHRA definition. Leslie Kirby, CEO of the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine, told the committee that antisemitic incidents have risen nationally and in Maine since October 2023; she urged tools that make motive easier to identify and to improve victim protection.

Representative Abigail Griffin said the bill “does not create new crimes, nor…