Press Releases
(Washington, D.C., Dec. 11, 2019)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:
B’nai B’rith applauds President Donald Trump’s anticipated executive order extending federal civil right protections to the Jewish people. The order will help fight anti-Semitism on college campuses by making it possible for colleges and universities to lose federal funding if they discriminate against Jews. In recent years, the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement has proliferated across college campuses. Colleges have been called on to divest from Israeli entities, Israeli goods are boycotted and Jewish students have reported feeling threatened.
Classifying Jews as an ethnic group, rather than purely as a religion, makes anti-Semitic discrimination a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Schools that discriminate against the racial, ethnic and national groups covered by Title VI are not allowed to receive federal funding.
The Education Department will define anti-Semitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, which has been adopted by governments and institutions around the world.
The anticipated executive order is based on bipartisan legislation supported by both Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org
B’nai B’rith applauds President Donald Trump’s anticipated executive order extending federal civil right protections to the Jewish people. The order will help fight anti-Semitism on college campuses by making it possible for colleges and universities to lose federal funding if they discriminate against Jews. In recent years, the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement has proliferated across college campuses. Colleges have been called on to divest from Israeli entities, Israeli goods are boycotted and Jewish students have reported feeling threatened.
Classifying Jews as an ethnic group, rather than purely as a religion, makes anti-Semitic discrimination a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Schools that discriminate against the racial, ethnic and national groups covered by Title VI are not allowed to receive federal funding.
The Education Department will define anti-Semitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, which has been adopted by governments and institutions around the world.
The anticipated executive order is based on bipartisan legislation supported by both Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org
