New GA Law Defines Antisemitism Amid Attacks On Jewish Community

ATLANTA — A bill that will be used by state agencies to determine if an act had antisemitic motivations is now law after being signed Wednesday by Gov. Brian Kemp.

The governor signed House Bill 30 at the Georgia Capitol alongside Jenny Sividya, who he said survived the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel.

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The new law defines antisemitism in Georgia and mandates "state agencies and departments to consider such definition when determining whether an alleged act was motivated by discriminatory antisemitic intent."

HB 30 comes at a time when several metro Atlanta communities have reported receiving antisemitic messages in recent months. Neighbors in Kennesaw, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody and parts of Cobb County have all recently experienced these messages in some form.

Kemp reaffirmed Wednesday that hate has no home in Georgia.

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"There has been a troubling rise in antisemitism across our nation in recent years, especially following the horrific terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7 that claimed the lives of over 1,200 Israelis," Kemp said.

"These acts of hatred have taken on many forms, including harassment, intimidation and even violence. Georgia has not been immune to that horrible reality. Our Jewish citizens have experienced hate in the form of antisemitic flyers spread across neighborhoods, messages on social media calling for the death of Jews in Israel and around the world and even hateful gatherings outside synagogues. So, we are all thankful for the perseverance and dedication shown in getting this bill across the finish line as we work together to send a clear, unified message. In Georgia, we proudly stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters - today, and everyday."

HB 30 was sponsored by Reps. John Carson, Chuck Efstration, Esther Panitch, Stacey Evans, Sharon Cooper and Deborah Silcox.