Members of the Virginia House of Representatives voted to approve House Bill 1606 which adopts the Working Definition of Antisemitism into Virginia Law.

The definition states that, “antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards 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.”

Virginia has seen a rise in antisemitic attacks recently with 350 acts reported in 2022.

Governor Youngkin made a statement in support of Bill saying that “Hate has no place in the Commonwealth” and that he is “inspired by the devotion shown to transform what started as an idea into a law that will change how we combat antisemitism in the Commonwealth.”

Governor Youngkin signed an executive order on his first day in office establishing the Commission to Combat antisemitism which later recommended the use of this working definition.