South Carolina Becomes First State to Legally Define Anti-Semitism

The Times of Israel is now congratulating South Carolina on the passage of America’s first “anti-Semtism” law:

“South Carolina became the first state to adopt a uniform definition of anti-Semitism, but it is only on the books for the next year.

The definition is contained in a proviso to the annual state budget bill, which was signed into law on July 6.

The proviso uses as its template the State Department definition of anti-Semitism, which includes as anti-Semitic calls for violence against Jews, advancing conspiracy theories about Jewish control, and Holocaust denial.

It does not target speech, only unprotected conduct such as harassment, assault, and vandalism, according to StandWithUs, an Israel education organization that operates on college campuses, which in a statement praised Governor Henry McMaster for signing the proviso.”

You can read the text in full here. It officially prohibits “discriminatory practices” and defines “anti-Semitism” as any of the following:

• a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities;
• calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews; making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as a collective; accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, the state of Israel, or even for acts committed by non-Jews;
• accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust;
• accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interest of their own nations;
• using the symbols and images associated with classic anti-Semitism to characterize Israel or Israelis;
• drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis;
• blaming Israel for all inter-religious or political tensions;
• applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation;
• multilateral organizations focusing on Israel only for peace or human rights investigations;
• denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, and denying Israel the right to exist, provided, however, that criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic.

While this new law is only in effect for one year, proponents of the legislation attempted to make it a permanent measure. However, due to concerns over free speech, those efforts were thwarted.

The law officially gives jews an exclusive status apart from their “fellow” Americans and puts them above criticism.

It’s no surprise that South Carolina is the first state to adopt this official definition – after all, historically Charleston has been the seat of jewish power in The South. Oh, sorry, it’s now “anti-semitic” to point that out.

While it apparently does not target speech, you aren’t allowed to talk about jewish control or certain facts about World War II. Sounds Orwellian. Basically, when it really comes down to it, the real definition of anti-semitism is anything that the jews don’t like to hear.