Bills' passage would show progress against anti-Semitism

A pro-Israel activist is praising the Ohio Senate for approving a resolution condemning the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement against the state of Israel.

The Ohio General Assembly had already approved House Concurrent Resolution 10 which is a significant step in countering the increasing acts of anti-Semitism, including anti-Israel activity and the shutting down of free speech on university campuses in the state. By a unanimous vote (30-0) last week, the Senate passed an amended version of the resolution, which now must go back to the House for a concurrence vote, probably on Wednesday, December 5.

Laurie Cardoza-Moore is founder and president of Proclaiming Justice to the Nations, which has helped get similar resolutions passed in other states.

"The language of this resolution not only exposes the groups that are involved in anti-Semitic incidents on our college campuses and in our communities, but it also highlights the growing threat across the country and around the globe – and specifically as it pertains to HCR 10 in the state of Ohio," she explains.

But Cardoza-Moore says after the resolution is adopted, it will be important for Ohio to move forward with an anti-BDS bill known as the "Anti-Semitism Awareness Act."

"This resolution basically makes the case why there has to be a definition in the state of Ohio as to what constitutes anti-Semitism," she tells OneNewsNow, "so that federal action can be taken especially if it pertains to violations of civil rights of the Jewish students on these college campuses and the secondary school campuses as well."

Cardoza-Moore says Governor-elect Mike DeWine (R) has expressed his intention to support the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act if it is ultimately passed by the legislature.