Here is a letter I sent to my Oklahoma state senator (and few other state senators) about why I oppose SB 942 and 991.

The vote is supposed to happen this afternoon, so if you have a moment please consider calling or emailing your state senator today.

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Dear Senator _________,

I am writing you as an active member of the Jewish community here in Oklahoma, to urge you to vote no on SB 942 and 991 (both of which I understand are coming up for a vote this afternoon).

I am asking this because I am deeply concerned with a key element of these two bills: the adoption of the IRHA definition of Antisemitism.

Antisemitism is real and needs to be resisted, but the IHRA definition of #Antisemitism is not the way to do this, because it muddies the waters by equating political opposition to the state of Israel and its policies in Gaza and the West Bank with actual Antisemitism.

Like many Jews (and other people of conscience), I seek to use my voice to call for peace and justice for ALL of the peoples of Israel and Palestine. Having such advocacy labeled by the state of Oklahoma as "antisemitic" is an insult to me as a Jew and a human being.

Please vote no on this legislation, at least as long as it includes the IHRA definition of anti-semitism.

Also, for further reading, I've attached a fact sheet about the IHRA definition of antisemitism.

Sincerely,
James M. Branum

#Antisemitism #Oklahoma #OKLegislature #OkSenate
#Mazeldon #Judaism #OK #Jewish #IHRA #Islamaphobia #Israel #Palestine