The Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents voted 7-6 Friday to adopt a definition of antisemitism that opponents including the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada say may infringe on student and faculty academic and speech freedoms.
The language would expand the definition to include discrimination based on “citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity,” and allows for the consultation of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition, which opponents fear could silence criticism of Israel.
It comes as protests over the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza have erupted at Nevada colleges and nationwide. During a three-hour public comment period, students, community members and groups such as the local office of the Anti-Defamation League said this policy is needed to protect Jewish individuals from rising antisemitism.
A previous motion to give the board more time to study the issue failed.