Three national rabbinic organizations join broad coalition calling for action against antisemitism without jeopardizing constitutional freedoms
(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 10/20/2026) — The Philadelphia and Pittsburgh chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Pennsylvania) today said they joined an interfaith and community coalition comprising 55 organizations and 71 faith and community leaders in urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to reject Senate Bill 1489, warning that combating antisemitism must never become a justification for suppressing protected political speech.
The coalition’s joint letter includes three national rabbinic organizations — the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, and Rabbis for Ceasefire — alongside synagogues, churches, mosques, civil-rights organizations, student groups, and community advocates.
Together, the signatories affirm that antisemitism is real, dangerous, and demands meaningful action. They warn that codifying the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition and accompanying examples would threaten legitimate political debate, including criticism of Israeli policies and advocacy for Palestinian rights.
READ: Coalition letter and full list of signatories
“Fighting antisemitism and protecting freedom of expression are not competing obligations. Pennsylvania must do both. Codifying a contested definition will neither build trust nor make our communities safer. It will instead risk silencing the pluralism, scholarship, advocacy, and principled debate that a democratic Commonwealth must protect,” the coalition writes. Its opposition to SB 1489 reflects a shared conviction that Pennsylvania can protect Jewish communities without empowering the government to classify protected political viewpoints as evidence of unlawful bias.
Rabbi Mordechai Liebling stated:
“Jewish safety and freedom of expression are inseparable commitments. Three national rabbinic organizations have joined this coalition because confronting antisemitism must also protect the diversity of Jewish voices and the right to advocate for Palestinian freedom. Pennsylvania lawmakers should reject this dangerous bill.”
Sam Kuttab of Prayers for Peace Alliance stated:
“Our faith calls us to confront hatred and defend the dignity of every neighbor. This interfaith coalition stands united against antisemitism and against legislation that threatens freedom of conscience and political expression. Moral clarity demands an unequivocal rejection of SB 1489.”
Ahmet Tekelioglu, Executive Director of CAIR-Philadelphia stated:
“We stand with our Jewish neighbors against antisemitism and with everyone whose voice this bill could silence. Protecting our communities requires solidarity, equal rights, and the freedom to speak against injustice. Pennsylvania must combat hatred while safeguarding advocacy for Palestinian dignity and freedom.”
BACKGROUNDER:
SB 1489 would establish the IHRA framework as the governing definition wherever “antisemitism” appears without a separate definition in Pennsylvania statutes or regulations. The coalition warns that its reach could influence government investigations, regulatory decisions, disciplinary proceedings, and public institutions.
The letter identifies particular concerns about examples involving contested political viewpoints about Israel, including allegations of double standards and characterizations of the state’s founding. It argues that placing these judgments into law risks chilling speech by Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, Jewish, academic, student, clergy, and human-rights advocates.
Although the bill includes a constitutional-rights disclaimer and an exception for criticism of Israel comparable to criticism of other countries, the coalition argues that these provisions do not resolve the danger of subjective or unequal enforcement.
The coalition calls on lawmakers to reject SB 1489 and related measures giving IHRA binding legal effect; hold public hearings that include diverse Jewish, Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, and civil-liberties perspectives; and pursue concrete protections against threats, violence, harassment, and discrimination.
“Fighting antisemitism and protecting freedom of expression are not competing obligations. Pennsylvania must do both,” the letter concludes.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
– END –
MEDIA CONTACTS: Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, 215-913-8363; Dr. Ahmet Tekelioglu 617-401-5397, atekelioglu@cair.com; Sam Kuttab, 215-301-2002.
