TRENTON, NJ – Senator Jim Beach introduced new legislation in the New Jersey Senate aimed at combating anti-Semitism and encouraging the reporting of bias-related crimes. This move comes amidst a reported rise in hate crimes nationally, with New Jersey experiencing a significant number of anti-Semitic incidents.
The proposed bill, S-4226, seeks to adopt a state-specific definition of anti-Semitism, aligning with the criteria set by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in 2016. This definition encompasses various contemporary forms of anti-Semitism.
In addition to the legislation, Senator Beach also presented SJR-131, a resolution explicitly condemning hate and bias-related crimes. This resolution emphasizes the Senator’s commitment to addressing the surge in such incidents.
To bolster these efforts, S-4226 includes a provision to allocate $100,000 to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. This funding is earmarked for a public awareness campaign, focusing on educating residents about bias crimes and the importance of reporting them. The campaign will utilize the state’s bias crime reporting hotline, operated by the New Jersey Bias Crimes Reporting Unit, as a key tool for community members to report incidents.
Senator Beach, representing Camden and Burlington counties, expressed his concern over the disturbing trend of increasing hate crimes, particularly anti-Semitic acts. He highlighted the significance of New Jersey’s diverse communities and the need for residents to feel safe in practicing their religion. The Senator noted New Jersey’s rank as third in the nation for anti-Semitic incidents last year, underlining the urgency of the situation.