Once-stalled anti-Semitism bill fast-tracked, signed into law
Kemp: "We proudly stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters"
Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday signed a bill to define anti-Semitism under Georgia law, concluding a fast-tracked effort to protect a Jewish community living on edge after last year’s push was stalled.
Flanked by First Lady Marty Kemp, legislative leaders and several Jewish supporters of the new law, Gov. Kemp signed H.B. 30 and reinforced his commitment to protecting Georgia’s Jewish community as Israel’s war with Hamas enters its fourth month.
Spearheaded by Democratic state Rep. Esther Panitch of Sandy Springs and Republican state Rep. John Carson of Marietta, H.B. 30 describes anti-Semitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
The bill was expected to be passed and signed into law last year but was left bottled up in the state Senate after an internal feud between Republican leaders. But this year’s push found a new wave of momentum as the conflict in Gaza increases tensions here at home.
Supporters like Panitch, the state’s only Jewish lawmaker, have for months been sounding the alarm about an increase in violent threats toward the Jewish community. Even before Hamas forces launched their attack on Israel last October, reports of anti-Semitic incidents in Georgia had been on an alarming rise. Several neighborhoods from metro Atlanta to Macon — including Rep. Panitch’s — were littered with hateful flyers last year. And many synagogues have been forced to heighten security amid a rise in threats.
The passage of H.B. 30 was a rare moment of bipartisanship in a heated election-year session, with both chambers easily and swiftly passing the bill. Panitch spoke highly of her work with Carson and that the Jewish community “couldn’t do this without the Christian community’s help.”
“I’m used to fighting in the courts. But there are rules in law. There aren’t any in politics,” Rep. Panitch said of her background in practicing law. “The skills I learned from watching John are invaluable. And he was willing to listen to me and let me take the lead on certain issues.”
But opponents of the new law worry that it could be weaponized to target Jews who hold antizionist beliefs. Others are concerned that it could create a hostile environment for pro-Palestine organizers.
“It’s so important that we do everything we can to protect Jewish Georgians from hate and violence,” said state Rep. Ruwa Romman, the first Palestinian-American lawmaker in Georgia’s history.
But the Duluth Democrat worries that H.B. 30 does little to protect the Jewish community and that the Senate added “harmful” language to the bill. “I’m dismayed this important endeavor has been hijacked this way,” she said.
Gov. Kemp, during the signing ceremony, harkened back to the passage of the initial hate crimes bill in 2020 and reiterated that “there’s no place for hate” in the Peach State.
“In Georgia, we proudly stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters - today, and every day!”