COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A bill advancing through the Statehouse would cement a definition of antisemitism into Ohio law and expand the criminal offense of ethnic intimidation.
Senate Bill 297 passed with a 27-4 vote in the Ohio Senate on Dec. 11 to define antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews." Adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, the definition also states "rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities."
If signed into law, the antisemitism definition would be used when state agencies investigate ethnic intimidation, which S.B. 297 defines as "the offenses of riot and aggravated riot committed by reason of the race, color, religion, or national origin of another person or group."
Sen. Terry Johnson (R-McDermott), the bill's primary sponsor, said the legislation is needed given "antisemitism is seemingly on the rise in these institutions of higher education," citing demonstrations on Ohio State University's campus earlier this year and a neo-Nazi march in Columbus in November. Johnson said Jewish students "have increasingly found themselves facing discrimination, harassment and even violence."
"Such experiences not only create a hostile environment for Jewish students, for also undermine the very principles of diversity and inclusion that our universities are supposed to uphold," said Johnson shortly before the bill passed. "It is essential for campuses, especially our state universities, to actively investigate and address antisemitism."
Minority Leader Sen. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) was one of four legislators to vote against S.B. 297 out of concern the legislation could be weaponized to "suppress opposing views" and "deny First Amendment rights to Ohio citizens."
"When democracies curtail peaceful protest, they violate the right to freedom of assembly and create conditions that can lead to violence," Antonio said on the Senate floor. "I know that is not the intent of this bill. My fear is that, by curtailing the right to free speech, that may be the result."
Andrea Britcher, a JewishColumbus board of trustees member, submitted testimony in favor of S.B. 297 earlier this month, citing recent FBI statistics that show anti-Jewish hate crimes rose to 1,832 incidents nationwide in 2023. This marked the highest number of anti-Jewish hate crimes ever recorded by the FBI since it began collecting data in 1991.
"In Columbus, we've seen Jewish students attacked walking home at night, swastikas graffitied
at homes, anonymous callers spewing hate at city council meetings, and most recently masked
neo-Nazis marching through the Short North," wrote Britcher. "The struggle to combat antisemitism cannot fall only on the shoulders of the Jewish Community. We need our allies, from community members to lawmakers, to help stomp out hate."
Khalid Turaani, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Ohio, echoed Antonio's concerns in testimony he submitted against S.B. 297, arguing that the legislation is redundant and infringes on First Amendment rights.
"This bill threatens to stifle legitimate discourse on atrocities abroad, silencing Ohioans and Americans who engage in critical global conversations," wrote Turaani. "The ability to speak out against injustice is fundamental to who we are as a nation, and we cannot allow this bill to jeopardize that right."
Given S.B. 297 still needs to undergo review and a vote in the Ohio House, it is unlikely to be sent to Gov. Mike DeWine's desk for signature before the end of the General Assembly's two-year session this week. Lawmakers could reintroduce the bill next session, which starts in January.
