PUBLIC LAW 108–332—OCT. 16, 2004

GLOBAL ANTI-SEMITISM REVIEW ACT OF 2004

118 STAT. 1282 PUBLIC LAW 108–332—OCT. 16, 2004

Public Law 108–332

108th Congress

An Act

To require a report on acts of anti-Semitism around the world.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of

the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Global Anti-Semitism Review

Act of 2004’’.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:

(1) Acts of anti-Semitism in countries throughout the world,

including some of the world’s strongest democracies, have

increased significantly in frequency and scope over the last

several years.

(2) During the last 3 months of 2003 and the first 3

months of 2004, there were numerous instances of anti-Semitic

violence around the world, including the following incidents:

(A) In Putrajaya, Malaysia, on October 16, 2003, former

Prime Minister Mahatir Mohammad told the 57 national

leaders assembled for the Organization of the Islamic Conference that Jews ‘‘rule the world by proxy’’, and called

for a ‘‘final victory’’ by the world’s 1.3 billion Muslims,

who, he said, ‘‘cannot be defeated by a few million Jews.’’.

(B) In Istanbul, Turkey, on November 15, 2003,

simultaneous car bombs exploded outside two synagogues

filled with worshippers, killing 24 people and wounding

more than 250 people.

(C) In Australia on January 5, 2004, poison was used

to ignite, and burn anti-Semitic slogans into, the lawns

of the Parliament House in the state of Tasmania.

(D) In St. Petersburg, Russia, on February 15, 2004,

vandals desecrated approximately 50 gravestones in a

Jewish cemetery, painting the stones with swastikas and

anti-Semitic graffiti.

(E) In Toronto, Canada, over the weekend of March

19 through March 21, 2004, vandals attacked a Jewish

school, a Jewish cemetery, and area synagogues, painting

swastikas and anti-Semitic slogans on the walls of a synagogue and on residential property in a nearby, predominantly Jewish, neighborhood.

(F) In Toulon, France, on March 23, 2004, a Jewish

synagogue and community center were set on fire.

(3) Anti-Semitism in old and new forms is also increasingly

emanating from the Arab and Muslim world on a sustained

Mahatir

Mohammad.

22 USC 2731

note.

Global AntiSemitism Review

Act of 2004.

22 USC 2651

note.

Oct. 16, 2004

[S. 2292]

PUBLIC LAW 108–332—OCT. 16, 2004 118 STAT. 1283

basis, including through books published by government-owned

publishing houses in Egypt and other Arab countries.

(4) In November 2002, state-run television in Egypt broadcast the anti-Semitic series entitled ‘‘Horseman Without a

Horse’’, which is based upon the fictitious conspiracy theory

known as the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. The Protocols

have been used throughout the last century by despots such

as Adolf Hitler to justify violence against Jews.

(5) In November 2003, Arab television featured an antiSemitic series, entitled ‘‘Ash-Shatat’’ (or ‘‘The Diaspora’’), which

depicts Jewish people hatching a plot for Jewish control of

the world.

(6) The sharp rise in anti-Semitic violence has caused international organizations such as the Organization for Security

and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to elevate, and bring

renewed focus to, the issue, including the convening by the

OSCE in June 2003 of a conference in Vienna dedicated solely

to the issue of anti-Semitism.

(7) The OSCE convened a conference again on April 28–

29, 2004, in Berlin, to address the problem of anti-Semitism

with the United States delegation led by former Mayor of

New York City, Ed Koch.

(8) The United States Government has strongly supported

efforts to address anti-Semitism through bilateral relationships

and interaction with international organizations such as the

OSCE, the European Union, and the United Nations.

(9) Congress has consistently supported efforts to address

the rise in anti-Semitic violence. During the 107th Congress,

both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed resolutions expressing strong concern with the sharp escalation

of anti-Semitic violence in Europe and calling on the Department of State to thoroughly document the phenomenon.

(10) Anti-Semitism has at times taken the form of vilification of Zionism, the Jewish national movement, and incitement

against Israel.

SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is the sense of Congress that—

(1) the United States Government should continue to

strongly support efforts to combat anti-Semitism worldwide

through bilateral relationships and interaction with international organizations such as the OSCE, the European Union,

and the United Nations; and

(2) the Department of State should thoroughly document

acts of anti-Semitism that occur around the world.

SEC. 4. REPORTS.

Not later than November 15, 2004, the Secretary of State

shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate

and the Committee on International Relations of the House of

Representatives a one-time report on acts of anti-Semitism around

the world, including a description of—

(1) acts of physical violence against, or harassment

of, Jewish people, and acts of violence against, or vandalism

of, Jewish community institutions, such as schools, synagogues,

or cemeteries, that occurred in each country;

(2) the responses of the governments of those countries

to such actions;

Ed Koch.

118 STAT. 1284 PUBLIC LAW 108–332—OCT. 16, 2004

(3) the actions taken by such governments to enact and

enforce laws relating to the protection of the right to religious

freedom of Jewish people;

(4) the efforts by such governments to promote anti-bias

and tolerance education; and

(5) instances of propaganda in government and nongovernment media that attempt to justify or promote racial hatred

or incite acts of violence against Jewish people.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE TO MONITOR AND COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM.

The State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 is amended

by adding after section 58 (22 U.S.C. 2730) the following new

section:

‘‘SEC. 59. MONITORING AND COMBATING ANTI-SEMITISM.

‘‘(a) OFFICE TO MONITOR AND COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM.—

‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE.—The Secretary shall establish within the Department of State an Office to Monitor and

Combat anti-Semitism (in this section referred to as the ‘Office’).

‘‘(2) HEAD OF OFFICE.—

‘‘(A) SPECIAL ENVOY FOR MONITORING AND COMBATING

ANTI-SEMITISM.—The head of the Office shall be the Special

Envoy for Monitoring and Combating anti-Semitism (in

this section referred to as the ‘Special Envoy’).

‘‘(B) APPOINTMENT OF HEAD OF OFFICE.—The Secretary

shall appoint the Special Envoy. If the Secretary determines that such is appropriate, the Secretary may appoint

the Special Envoy from among officers and employees of

the Department. The Secretary may allow such officer or

employee to retain the position (and the responsibilities

associated with such position) held by such officer or

employee prior to the appointment of such officer or

employee to the position of Special Envoy under this paragraph.

‘‘(b) PURPOSE OF OFFICE.—Upon establishment, the Office shall

assume the primary responsibility for—

‘‘(1) monitoring and combating acts of anti-Semitism and

anti-Semitic incitement that occur in foreign countries;

‘‘(2) coordinating and assisting in the preparation of that

portion of the report required by sections 116(d)(7) and 502B(b)

of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151n(d)(7)

and 2304(b)) relating to an assessment and description of the

nature and extent of acts of anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic

incitement for inclusion in the annual Country Reports on

Human Rights Practices; and

‘‘(3) coordinating and assisting in the preparation of that

portion of the report required by section 102(b)(1)(A)(iv) of

the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C.

6412(b)(1)(A)(iv)) relating to an assessment and description of

the nature and extent of acts of anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic

incitement for inclusion in the Annual Report on International

Religious Freedom.

‘‘(c) CONSULTATIONS.—The Special Envoy shall consult with

domestic and international nongovernmental organizations and

multilateral organizations and institutions, as the Special Envoy

considers appropriate to fulfill the purposes of this section.’’.

22 USC 2731.

PUBLIC LAW 108–332—OCT. 16, 2004 118 STAT. 1285

SEC. 6. INCLUSION IN DEPARTMENT OF STATE ANNUAL REPORTS OF

INFORMATION CONCERNING ACTS OF ANTI-SEMITISM IN

FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

(a) INCLUSION IN COUNTRY REPORTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES.—The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et

seq.) is amended—

(1) in section 116(d) (22 U.S.C. 2151n(d))—

(A) by redesignating paragraphs (8), (9), and (10), as

paragraphs (9), (10), and (11), respectively; and

(B) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following new

paragraph:

‘‘(8) wherever applicable, a description of the nature and

extent of acts of anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic incitement

that occur during the preceding year, including descriptions

of—

‘‘(A) acts of physical violence against, or harassment

of Jewish people, and acts of violence against, or vandalism

of Jewish community institutions, including schools, synagogues, and cemeteries;

‘‘(B) instances of propaganda in government and nongovernment media that attempt to justify or promote racial

hatred or incite acts of violence against Jewish people;

‘‘(C) the actions, if any, taken by the government of

the country to respond to such violence and attacks or

to eliminate such propaganda or incitement;

‘‘(D) the actions taken by such government to enact

and enforce laws relating to the protection of the right

to religious freedom of Jewish people; and

‘‘(E) the efforts of such government to promote antibias and tolerance education;’’; and

(2) after the fourth sentence of section 502B(b) (22 U.S.C.

2304(b)), by inserting the following new sentence: ‘‘Wherever

applicable, a description of the nature and extent of acts of

anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic incitement that occur, including

the descriptions of such acts required under section 116(d)(8).’’.

(b) INCLUSION IN ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS

FREEDOM.—Section 102(b)(1)(A) of the International Religious

Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6412(b)(1)(A)) is amended—

(1) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end;

(2) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and

inserting ‘‘; and’’; and

(3) by adding after clause (iii) the following new clause:

‘‘(iv) wherever applicable, an assessment and

description of the nature and extent of acts of antiSemitism and anti-Semitic incitement that occur in

that country during the preceding year, including—

‘‘(I) acts of physical violence against, or harassment of, Jewish people, acts of violence against,

or vandalism of, Jewish community institutions,

and instances of propaganda in government and

nongovernment media that incite such acts; and

‘‘(II) the actions taken by the government of

that country to respond to such violence and

attacks or to eliminate such propaganda or incitement, to enact and enforce laws relating to the

protection of the right to religious freedom of

118 STAT. 1286 PUBLIC LAW 108–332—OCT. 16, 2004

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 2292:

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 150 (2004):

May 7, considered and passed Senate.

Oct. 8, considered and passed House, amended.

Oct. 10, Senate concurred in House amendments.

Æ

Jewish people, and to promote anti-bias and tolerance education.’’.

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE OF INCLUSIONS.—The amendments made

by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply beginning with the first

report under sections 116(d) and 502B(b) of the Foreign Assistance

Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151n(d) and 2304(b)) and section 102(b)

of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C.

6312(b)) submitted more than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Approved October 16, 2004.

Applicability.

22 USC 2151n

note.