Georgia lawmakers pass bill to define antisemitism despite free-speech concerns of opponents

Georgia Senate President Pro Tem John Kennedy, R-Macon, left, shakes hands with a supporter on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at the State Capitol in Atlanta after senators voted to pass a bill defining antisemitism in state law. Supporters say the bill is needed to combat bias incidents against Jews but opponents say they fear it will be used to censor criticism of Israel. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)

Updated at 4:13 p.m.

Georgia lawmakers passed a bill Thursday that would define antisemitism in state law, with Republicans uniting in support of Israel’s war on Hamas and some Democrats splitting over fears of suppressing support for Palestinians.

“Today we can fight a pervasive and escalating threat in our state and fight it together,” said Senate President Pro Tem John Kennedy, a Macon Republican who guided the bill to Senate passage by a 44-6 vote. The measure had stalled in a Senate committee in 2023.