Bill > A04797

This bill aims to combat anti-Semitism on college campuses by preventing state financial aid from being granted to any college or university that supports events promoting anti-Semitism. The bill provides a comprehensive definition of anti-Semitism that goes beyond simple religious discrimination, encompassing a wide range of behaviors such as making dehumanizing allegations about Jewish people, promoting harmful stereotypes, falsely accusing Jewish people of controlling societal institutions, blaming Jewish individuals or groups collectively for wrongdoings, and suggesting that Jewish people are inherently more loyal to Israel than to the United States or New York. Under this legislation, any campus event that engages in these types of rhetoric or actions would potentially result in the loss of state funding. The bill defines anti-Semitism as including verbal and physical manifestations of hatred, calls for harm against Jewish individuals, and propagation of conspiracy theories about Jewish people. By creating financial consequences for institutions that allow such activities, the bill seeks to discourage anti-Semitic discourse and protect Jewish students and community members from discrimination and harmful rhetoric.