Rep. Becky Evans explains ‘no’ vote over Georgia’s antisemitism definition law
On Wednesday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a definition of antisemitism into state law, drawing concern from some lawmakers who say it could stifle free speech over opposition to the Israeli government and its actions.
House Bill 30 incorporates the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, whose lead author has since warned against its use in law.
State Rep. Becky Evans, D-Atlanta, spoke on Friday’s edition of “Closer Look” to share why she voted against the bill, one of only five lawmakers to do so. Twenty-eight House members did not vote, and another 18 were excused.
Evans explained that her main concern is the law’s potential to conflate criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism – and also shared her experience of visiting Palestine, the occupied West Bank and Israel in 2008.
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