(Bergen Record) A New Jersey bill that calls for prohibiting anti-Semitism at public schools and universities has stirred controversy because it would also label certain criticisms of Israel as prohibited activity.
The bill, introduced by Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Sen. Robert Singer, is part of a larger national push to fight anti-Semitism, but one that critics say also attempts to stifle a growing pro-Palestinian movement on campuses.
“You can’t crack down on criticism of Israel any more than it would be constitutional to crack down on criticism of American policy or policy of any foreign nation,” said Joe Cohn, legislative and policy director of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, an anti-censorship organization.
