Why Are Republicans Destroying The First Amendment and Why Is No One Talking About It?

As the nation enjoys the delights of summer, Congress has once again turned its attention to issues that are of little concern to the majority of Americans. The “Countering Antisemitism Act” has recently been introduced in the Senate, raising concerns about its potential impact on free speech in the United States. As I previously discussed in May, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023, which shares striking similarities with this newly proposed legislation.

In New York, state legislators have introduced a bill that would classify the act of vandalizing “any banner, poster, flyer, or billboard” that supports “the country or citizens of Israel in any way” as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison. This proposed legislation follows the recent passage of nearly identical “hate crime” legislation in the South Carolina legislature, which was signed by Governor Henry McMaster in May.

Similarly, Ron DeSantis flew to Israel last year to sign similar legislation that imposes enhanced criminal penalties, including extended prison sentences, for “hate crimes” involving specific forms of speech related to Jews. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signed legislation in March that incorporated some forms of speech critical of Israel into the state’s civil rights statute as a form of illegal discrimination.

Earlier this year, Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp signed H.B. 30, amending the state’s hate crime statute to encompass certain forms of speech critical of Israel. These legislative efforts across multiple states raise concerns about the potential impact on free speech and the ability of individuals to engage in open and honest debate about important issues related to Israel and its policies.

It is astonishing that this critical issue has not garnered more attention. Republicans are gradually dismantling free speech, and yet none of the prominent figures in Conservative media have dared to address it. Their silence is a testament to their cowardice, as they are well aware of the ongoing developments but choose not to speak up for fear of jeopardizing their careers in conservative media. This fear is not unfounded, as evidenced by the recent case of Candace Owens, who faced repercussions for expressing views that were not universally flattering towards Jews or Israel. It is perplexing to observe the extent to which Israel exerts control over the voices of American political commentators and the actions of American legislators.

This fixation on shielding a small minority and a foreign country from criticism raises questions about the priorities of our elected representatives and their commitment to addressing the pressing issues faced by the majority of the American population. With so many Americans grappling with economic hardship, social unrest, and the erosion of their communities, it is disheartening to see our elected officials dedicating valuable time and resources to passing legislation that may stifle free speech and impose a specific narrative on the public.

As the CEO of Gab, a social media platform dedicated to upholding the principles of free speech, I am deeply concerned about the potential impact of these bills on the ability of users to engage in open and honest debate about important issues. I will continue to advocate for the protection of free speech and the rights of all Americans to voice their opinions without fear of censorship or persecution.

Most of these bills are using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, which is a big problem. The IHRA’s definition, which is being adopted by various governments and organizations around the world, defines antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.” This broad definition encompasses a wide range of speech and actions, including some that are rooted in biblical truth.

One notable example is the fact that the IHRA’s definition considers the belief that Jews killed Jesus Christ as “antisemitic.” This is a fundamental tenet of Christianity, which holds that Jesus was crucified by the Jewish authorities of his time. To label this belief as “antisemitic” is not only a gross misunderstanding of Christianity but also a direct attack on the freedom to express one’s religious beliefs.

Furthermore, the IHRA’s working definition will lead to increased censorship of user content on digital platforms, as social media companies may feel pressured to adopt the definition and enforce it through their content moderation policies. This would be a direct violation of the principles of free speech that our nation holds dear.

The IHRA’s working definition of antisemitism poses a serious threat to both biblical truth and free expression. I will continue to advocate for the protection of free speech and the rights of all Americans to express their religious beliefs without fear of censorship or persecution.

Gab is the only platform on the internet that does not have a “hate speech” clause similar to the aforementioned legislation. Even Elon’s self-proclaimed “free speech platform,” X, includes such provisions. Our ability to maintain this stance is solely due to the unwavering financial support of the Gab community, which enables us to continue our operations.

If you wish to contribute to our ongoing efforts to safeguard free speech for all individuals online and offline, please consider upgrading to GabPRO, making a one-time donation, or purchasing merchandise from the Gab Shop. Your support is crucial to our mission, and we cannot achieve our goals without it. While others remain silent, we will persist in speaking out against anti-free speech legislation and advocating for the protection of free speech for everyone.

Andrew Torba
CEO, Gab.com
Christ is King