A high-profile New Jersey bill that would have formally adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism is not expected to pass before the current legislative session expires, dealing a blow to Jewish advocacy groups and exposing sharp political fractures inside the state’s Democratic leadership.
Four sources familiar with the situation told Jewish Insider that the legislation—long championed by Jewish state leaders—has effectively stalled, despite broad bipartisan sponsorship and months of committee debate. The New Jersey Legislature’s session ends Monday, with Mikie Sherrill set to be sworn in the following week.
According to two sources with direct knowledge of the bill’s trajectory, outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy opposed the measure and was a central obstacle to its advancement. Those sources said Murphy did not want to be forced into a politically fraught decision on whether to sign the bill, which has become contentious within progressive Democratic circles.
Assemblyman Gary Schaer, the Democratic lead sponsor, confirmed Thursday that the legislation would not be posted for a vote. Schaer told Politico he had been informed by Assembly leadership that the bill would not appear on the docket for the chamber’s final session.
The measure would have required law enforcement agencies and public institutions to take into account the IHRA definition when determining whether conduct violated state or federal anti-bias laws or whether a criminal act was motivated by antisemitism. It also called for the definition to be used in training public officials and responding to antisemitic incidents. The bill included language explicitly protecting free speech and limited its application to criminal and civil-rights enforcement.
Despite those safeguards, the legislation became a flashpoint in Democratic politics last year. Progressive critics attacked it as an attempt to chill criticism of Israel—an argument supporters say misrepresents both the text and intent of the bill.
While the proposal cleared committee in the Assembly, it never received a full floor vote in either chamber. One source familiar with the legislative strategy said the bill had the votes to pass, but Democratic leaders repeatedly declined to move it forward, fearing that support could expose vulnerable incumbents to progressive primary challenges.
“Concerns about primaries are already widespread,” the source said. “Leadership didn’t want to hand challengers another weapon.”
Another source described finger-pointing among Democratic power brokers, with Murphy, Senate President Nicholas Scutari, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin privately blaming one another for the bill’s collapse. Neither Scutari nor Coughlin responded to requests for comment from Jewish Insider.
The Murphy administration declined to comment on pending legislation but said the governor “unequivocally condemns all forms of violence and discrimination based on religious belief,” pointing to past initiatives he has supported to combat antisemitism.
If you make the definition of anti semitism too braud it doesn’t help the cause
Thank you governor Murphy! The IHRA definition just makes anyone who criticizes Israel a legally bonafide antisemite. In the state with the biggest Palestinian population in the country this only makes tensions between Jews and other New Jerseyian. It doesn’t help Jews in the slightest, in only helps Zionists.
I criticize Israel. But you’re calling critics of Israel antisemites. I am offended by that accusation. Here’s my view in 8 words: “Israel yes, Netanyahu no; Palestinians yes, Hamas no.”
Murphy FINALLY did something right!!
Cognitive dissonance has set in. The Democrats (Republicans too, remember that this is a bipartisan bill) have allowed themselves to be cowed by the so-called free speech advocates. To paraphrase Voltaire: I may not agree with what you say, but will defend to the end your right to say it. Are only New Jerseyans afraid to legislate against antisemitism?