David Lubin, the father of an Israeli soldier who was killed in a stabbing attack, has declared his candidacy for the Georgia state senate after the Democratic incumbent in his district abstained from voting for a bill aimed at combating ‘antisemitism’.
The bill, H.B. 30, defines antisemitism into Georgia state law using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition, which includes a list containing multiple examples of ‘antisemitism’:
- Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.
- Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.
- Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.
Georgia state Senator Sally Harrell abstained from voting on H.B. 30, expressing discomfort before it was unanimously passed into law in late January.
- “If we had two bills today, if we had this bill, H.B. 30, that defines antisemitism, and we also had a bill that defines Islamophobia, I would feel so much more at peace.”
- “If we’re going to define antisemitism in the law, then there are a lot of other groups that experience racism, that they should also have definitions and explanations of what racism looks like.”
Catalyst: Lubin became a vocal advocate for H.B. 30 after his 20-year-old daughter, Rose Lubin who was serving in the Israeli army, was killed in a stabbing attack in Jerusalem.
- After Harrell abstained on H.B. 30, Lubin’s relationship with her deteriorated, despite Harrell authoring a resolution honoring his daughters memory.
- Lupin is now challenging Harrell in the May 21 Democrat primary for Georgia’s 40th Senate district
Campaign Platform: Lubin aims to counter what he sees as a rising wave of anti-Israel sentiment among progressives.
- His platform includes abortion rights, gun safety, Medicaid expansion, and a commitment to upholding a pro-Israel stance within the Democratic Party.