ICYMI: Combating antisemitism has been a top priority for Governor Glenn Youngkin since the day he took office.
On his first day as Governor, Youngkin signed an executive order establishing a Commission to Combat Antisemitism, reaffirming Virginia’s commitment to stand against hatred and intolerance and develop an actionable plan to combat antisemitism in the Commonwealth.
Last May, Governor Youngkin signed legislation into law that formally adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Antisemitism. This definition will be used as a tool and guide to identify instances of antisemitism and train first responders, educators, and other public servants on how to respond to antisemitism and prevent hate crimes from happening.
After the horrific terrorist attacks against innocent Israelis by Hamas on October 7, Governor Youngkin stated unequivocally that Virginia “stands with Israel” and “condemns wholeheartedly what we have seen as truly barbaric acts and understand the deep root of antisemitism and hate at work here.” Youngkin also issued an executive order in the aftermath of the attack aimed at combating antisemitism in Virginia by instructing law enforcement to “increase information exchange and resource coordination on potential antisemitic acts.”
And during his 2024 State of the Commonwealth Address, Governor Youngkin challenged the General Assembly to pass legislation to strengthen laws against antisemitism in Virginia.
“Pass a hate crime bill which ensures all forms of antisemitism, not just religious bigotry, are treated as hate crimes under the law,” Governor Youngkin said.
Now, Governor Youngkin has signed that legislation into law after the General Assembly answered his call to action.
As the Washington Examiner reports, “Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) signed into law a pair of bills that strengthen hate crime laws, building on efforts to curb antisemitism in Virginia.”
“From day one, we have made combating antisemitism and religious bigotry a top priority. As one of my first executive orders, I formed the Commission to Combat Antisemitism, which issued a recommendation that Virginia revise its laws to ensure Jewish Virginians are protected from hate crimes,” Youngkin said.
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WASHINGTON EXAMINER: Youngkin signs into law hate crime bills aimed at curbing antisemitism
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) signed into law a pair of bills that strengthen hate crime laws, building on efforts to curb antisemitism in Virginia.
The legislation expands state statutes for hate crimes to include crimes committed against people because of their ethnic origin. Youngkin signed SB7 and HB18 into law on Tuesday and said they would protect people who are Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh, among other groups, from hate crimes.
“From day one, we have made combating antisemitism and religious bigotry a top priority. As one of my first executive orders, I formed the Commission to Combat Antisemitism, which issued a recommendation that Virginia revise its laws to ensure Jewish Virginians are protected from hate crimes, along with Muslims, Sikhs, and other ethnic and religious groups,” Youngkin said in a statement.
“As the first state to weave religious freedom into the fabric of our nation, Virginia is leading once again and sending a clear message that Virginians should not be the victim of a crime simply because of their religion, race, or ethnicity,” he added.
The pair of measures passed unanimously in the House of Delegates and the state Senate earlier this year after Youngkin called for a bill regarding hate crimes of “all forms of antisemitism, not just religious bigotry.”
“Hate has no place in our communities. As the grandson of Holocaust survivors and a Jew whose children have confronted antisemitism in our schools, this bill is personal for me,” Democratic Del. Dan Helmer said in a statement. “I’m grateful to the governor for signing this bipartisan legislation to protect people of every ethnicity across the commonwealth.”
Virginia joins several other states that have worked to combat rising antisemitism after Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel in October sparked the war in Gaza.
In addition to the hate crime bills, Youngkin signed 98 other bills into law and vetoed four other pieces of legislation on Tuesday. With a Democratic-controlled state legislature, Youngkin has vetoed several bills, including gun control measures and legislation to establish a marijuana market in the Commonwealth.
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