State Sen. Sally Harrell represents one of the largest constituencies of Jewish voters in Georgia. That’s why Atlanta’s Jewish community was disappointed that she did not support House Bill 30, a bill defining antisemitism, that was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Jan. 31.
Harrell joined a conversation with the Jewish Community Relations Council and other Atlanta Jewish leaders in a virtual meeting held on Feb. 13 to explain her position.
Following the bill for three sessions of the Georgia General Assembly, Harrell had been prepared to support HB30. On the day of the vote, she delivered a speech on the Senate floor denigrating the bill and then declined to vote.
“I recognize that I probably shocked a lot of you with my hesitations about House Bill 30, and I apologize for that. I actually shocked myself,” Harrell said.
She continued: “I didn’t want to vote no, and I didn’t feel good voting yes because of my concerns about the unintended consequences. It is not uncommon for legislators to abstain, or watch, as we call it.”
In November, Harrell said voices opposing the bill grew louder. She spoke with Muslim Arabs, including a fellow senator and someone with family in Gaza.
“On any issue that affects a group of your constituents, you should be listening to your constituents. I wouldn’t expect you to turn to the Jewish community to define Islamophobia,” said Michael Jacobs, a participant in the meeting.
The Anti-Defamation League, the National Council for Jewish Women, and the Union for Reform Judaism – three major players – announced concerns about using the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which was adopted in the bill.
“I was trying to hold a place for everybody,” Harrell said. “The concerns that were being brought to me were about free speech.”
Harrell is referring to claims that under HB30, it would be illegal to criticize the Israeli government. Proponents of the…
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