Us Congress House Bill HR883

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 11/21/23
• Refer: 11/21/23

Caption

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the slogan, "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" is antisemitic and its use must be condemned.

Impact

The bill serves as a clear declaration by Congress regarding the interpretation of certain political slogans and their implications on antisemitism. By condemning the slogan, HR883 aims to establish a stance against rhetoric perceived as promoting hate and violence, thereby influencing community discussions around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This resolution could lead to a greater scrutiny of public expressions and may impact college campuses and social movements advocating for Palestinian rights, as it characterizes certain speech as offensive and threatening.

Summary

House Resolution 883 expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the slogan, "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," is an antisemitic statement and calls for its condemnation. It highlights this slogan as a harmful rhetoric that seeks the eradication of the State of Israel and denies Jewish people their right to self-determination. The resolution cites the use of this slogan by terror organizations, particularly Hamas, and references the violent events of October 7, 2023, where many Jewish individuals were killed, further framing the slogan as a rallying call for violent actions against Israel and its citizens.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HR883 appears to be largely supportive within the House, reflected in the voting results — with 376 yeas and 44 nays, signaling a strong consensus among the majority of representatives. However, it may provoke counter-responses from activists and groups advocating for Palestinian rights who might view the resolution as an attack on their movement. This discrepancy indicates a polarized response to issues on human rights and freedom of expression.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the broader implications of labeling specific phrases or slogans as antisemitic. Critics may argue that such resolutions could suppress legitimate political discourse and advocacy related to Palestinian issues. Additionally, the historical context regarding the treatment of Palestinians and debates about their rights could lead to significant pushback from those advocating for a more balanced representation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.