Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) introduced the “Define to Defeat Act of 2024” (H.R.7945), which seeks to mandate the use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism in enforcing civil rights laws. The bill aims to provide federal officials with a clear, objective, and contemporary framework to identify, assess, and prosecute antisemitic incidents, including those disguised as anti-Israel rhetoric. If passed, federal agencies would incorporate the IHRA definition in anti-discrimination training, jury instructions, and civil rights applications.

The legislation has garnered support from the Coalition for Jewish Values, representing over 2,500 Orthodox rabbis, who emphasize the importance of a neutral and precise definition to combat modern antisemitism effectively. The coalition criticized alternative definitions like the Jerusalem Declaration and the Nexus Project, arguing they obscure antisemitism by excusing hatred under different guises. They stress that adopting the IHRA definition is essential to expose and address the persistent connection between classical antisemitic tropes and contemporary anti-Jewish hate.