In a milestone moment just ahead of Passover, the ancient Jewish festival of freedom, Wisconsin joined the growing group of U.S. states to embrace the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, a vital tool for identifying and countering modern-day Jew-hatred.
AB 446, signed into law as Wisconsin Act 143 by Gov. Tony Evers, requires state agencies to consider the IHRA definition and its 11 included examples when evaluating whether unlawful conduct was motivated by antisemitic bias. In total, 38 states have now adopted or endorsed the IHRA definition, with 17 codifying it into law.
The Wisconsin bill, approved by a 66-33 margin in the State Assembly and a unanimous voice vote in the Senate, could not have come at a more opportune moment, offering guidance and clarity in the face of rising violence against Jews nationwide and globally.
The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) monitored 6,819 incidents around the world in 2025, up 8% from the previous year and 107% from 2023. The Milwaukee Jewish Federation tracked 95 incidents in Wisconsin alone in 2024.
The Wisconsin Legislature and Governor Tony Evers deserve commendation not only from the Jewish community but from all Wisconsinites who care about public safety and welfare.
During the legislative process, the bill drew vocal opposition from factions amplifying the same mischaracterizations repeated in other states where similar measures have been advanced. Why are detractors aggressively seeking to torpedo IHRA legislation?
IHRA definition exposes bad-faith actors disguising antisemitism
The answer: Because the IHRA definition exposes bad-faith actors who deliberately seek to conceal their hatred of Jews under the guise of political criticism of Israel. It unmasks those who claim to support Jews but work overtime to turn society against anyone who recognizes essential components of Jewishness, namely Jewish peoplehood and a shared ancestry originating in the Land of Israel.
Over the ages, antisemitism has followed a familiar pattern. Jews are first scapegoated by those disaffected by personal or societal problems, or by tyrants looking to build power. Once Jews are equated with evil, the natural corollary is to then exclude and marginalize them. The Nazis, for example, made Jews wear yellow Stars of David so they could be easily shunned and marginalized.
Today, anti-Zionism is a growing form of antisemitism, with Israel treated as the “collective Jew.” Antisemites substitute the Jewish state into the conspiracy model in place of individual Jews, and spin theories about supposed Israeli control of governments, financial institutions, and media outlets. Antisemites also deny the Jewish people’s historical connection to the Land of Israel. They brand as “Zionists” those who recognize Israel as the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people and target them with ostracization, harassment, vandalism, and even physical assault or worse.
Just this week, the FBI confirmed that the terrorist who attacked a synagogue in Michigan earlier this month was inspired by Hezbollah. The assailant sought to massacre Jewish American preschool children simply because, in his mind, they represented Israel.
Definition does not conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism
The IHRA definition is critical to protecting Jews from contemporary manifestations of antisemitism. The definition explicitly states it is not antisemitic to criticize actions or policies of the Israeli government. But when you demonize Jews and hold the Jewish people, or Israel as the Jewish collective, to double standards, this crosses the line into antisemitism. The definition does not conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism. It clearly distinguishes criticism of Israel from antisemitism.
As President of U.S. Affairs for CAM, I and members of my organization were asked to educate Wisconsin state lawmakers and the governor, and we were proud to work alongside the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. We are grateful that Act 143 will now ensure that state officials can utilize a common definition of antisemitism. Our deepest appreciation goes to bill sponsors Representative Ron Tusler and Senator Rob Hutton, Assembly and Senate leadership, Governor Evers, and every legislator who voted to guarantee that Wisconsin remains a safe and welcoming state for all its residents.
We look forward to seeing this success replicated elsewhere. It’s time for state officials on both sides of the political aisle across America to follow Wisconsin’s lead by adopting and codifying the IHRA definition to safeguard Jewish civil rights.
Alyza D. Lewin is the President of U.S. Affairs for the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM).
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: WI adopting IHRA definition of antisemitism is commendable | Opinion
Reporting by Alyza D. Lewin, Special to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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