ICAN Statement on the Nomination of Harmeet Dhillon as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights

The Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN) strongly supports the nomination of Harmeet Dhillon as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice. Her extensive legal career, unwavering commitment to civil liberties, and advocacy for equal justice under the law uniquely position her to lead this critical Division.

A Distinguished Legal Career and Dedication to Civil Liberties

Harmeet Dhillon is a nationally recognized attorney and public advocate with a career spanning over two decades dedicated to upholding constitutional rights and advancing civil liberties. A graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Virginia School of Law, she has built a reputation as a skilled litigator and a steadfast defender of individual freedoms.

As the founder of the Dhillon Law Group, Ms. Dhillon has led landmark cases addressing First Amendment rights, religious liberty, and free speech. Her advocacy has extended to combating discrimination in various forms, with a particular focus on protecting communities from systemic harassment and defending their constitutional rights. Her leadership within legal circles has been further underscored by her role as a board member of the Republican National Lawyers Association and her efforts in advising on critical civil rights issues at the national level.

Ms. Dhillon’s deep understanding of civil rights law, coupled with her practical experience in tackling complex legal challenges, uniquely positions her to lead the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. Her commitment to justice and equity reflects her longstanding dedication to creating a society where every individual can thrive free from discrimination and hatred.

A Year Marked by Rising Antisemitism and Civil Rights Challenges

The past year has been a watershed moment in the fight against antisemitism and hate in the United States. The terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7th triggered a cascade of global reactions, including a stark rise in antisemitic incidents on American streets and campuses. Across the country, Jewish communities faced harassment, intimidation, and violence, with demonstrators targeting synagogues, businesses, and community centers. University campuses became flashpoints for divisive rhetoric and acts of hate, leaving Jewish and Israeli-American students feeling marginalized and unsafe.

The Civil Rights Division is uniquely positioned to address these challenges. Antisemitic harassment and bias incidents often intersect with federal civil rights protections, particularly under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and hate crime statutes. Over the past year, the Division has been called upon to investigate incidents that highlight the growing need for robust enforcement mechanisms and proactive policies to protect vulnerable communities.

Key Areas of Focus for the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights

The following are critical areas of concern shared by ICAN and the communities we represent, which we urge Assistant Attorney General-Designate Harmeet Dhillon to prioritize during her confirmation hearings and throughout her tenure as head of the Civil Rights Division, especially in the area of Title VI enforcement:

1. Implement the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism Across Educational Institutions: The Civil Rights Division should prioritize advocating for the adoption and implementation of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism in public schools and educational institutions. This aligns with Executive Order 13899, signed by President Trump in 2019, which incorporated the IHRA definition into Title VI enforcement. Building on this precedent, the Division can further promote the definition’s integration into state and local policies, especially as Congress considers advancing the Antisemitism Awareness Act (AAA).

2. Enhance Training Programs on Jewish Identity for Educators and Administrators: To address biases and prevent antisemitic behavior, the Civil Rights Division should champion initiatives to educate school staff on Jewish identity, history, and culture. This includes developing and promoting professional training programs that equip educators with the skills to identify and respond effectively to antisemitism. Dhillon’s focus on civil liberties and equal treatment can drive these efforts, ensuring that all students are respected and included in the educational experience.

3. Expand Access to Holocaust Education to Combat Denial and Distortion: Holocaust education remains a critical tool in addressing the roots of antisemitism. The Civil Rights Division should work with state education departments to encourage improved access to Holocaust education. Under Dhillon’s leadership, these efforts could include community-based partnerships with museums and educational organizations to deepen students’ understanding of the Holocaust and its contemporary relevance in fighting hate. The Division could further enhance its impact by advocating for stricter enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in educational settings and by integrating Holocaust education into broader efforts to combat hate, bias, and antisemitism.

4. Strengthen Policies and Protocols to Address Antisemitism and Hate in Schools: Ensuring robust policies to combat antisemitism in schools should be a central focus for the Civil Rights Division. This includes creating clear reporting mechanisms, improving hate crime data collection, and ensuring swift disciplinary action against perpetrators. Dhillon’s leadership could drive the development of comprehensive protocols that empower students and educators to challenge hate while fostering a culture of accountability and inclusion.

5. Enhance Hate Crime Enforcement and Data Collection: The Civil Rights Division should prioritize robust enforcement of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, focusing on the prosecution of crimes motivated by race, religion, national origin, and other biases. The Division can strengthen collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement to improve the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes. Additionally, the Division should advocate for enhanced data collection practices under the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics Program, ensuring the accurate and comprehensive tracking of antisemitic and other hate-related incidents. This effort would not only provide a clearer picture of hate crime trends but also empower policymakers and community leaders to take targeted actions to address these issues.

Harmeet Dhillon’s exceptional legal expertise, unwavering commitment to civil liberties, and her proven track record in combating discrimination make her uniquely suited to lead the Civil Rights Division at this critical moment.

ICAN encourages U.S. Senators, community leaders, and all those committed to a strong U.S.-Israel relationship to recognize the importance of this nomination and to support a timely and thoughtful confirmation process, ensuring that America has the leadership needed to strengthen its relationship with Israel during this historic time.

What It Means to Be Pro-Israeli-American

At ICAN, being pro-Israeli-American means uniting Israeli-American immigrants and pro-Israel Americans into a cohesive, action-oriented coalition that strengthens the U.S.-Israel alliance while addressing domestic challenges that both communities face, like hate and antisemitism. It is an advocacy model rooted in shared values of democracy, innovation, and security, reflecting the unique role Israeli-Americans play as a bridge between two vibrant democracies. Pro-Israeli-American advocacy recognizes that the future stability and strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship depends on:

• Building bipartisan support for policies that strengthen mutual security and economic prosperity.
• Promoting the value of initiatives like the Abraham Accords, which exemplify the power of regional cooperation and diplomacy.
• Combating antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment through people-to-people, Israeli-American immigrant, and pro-Israel American cooperation.

This approach is dynamic, inclusive, and forward-looking, ensuring that our communities have a powerful and unified voice in shaping policies that benefit both nations.

The Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN) is the only organization that brings together Israeli and American activists to create change for a better America, a more secure Israel, and a stronger U.S.-Israel alliance.

ICAN works with community leaders, public officials, and grassroots organizations to strengthen the bond between the United States and Israel at all levels of government through civic education, advocacy, and public engagement. It also promotes policies that support the Israeli-American community and foster mutual understanding. With a focus on policy leadership and strategic engagement, ICAN is committed to empowering Israeli-American activists and pro-Israel Americans to take an active role in shaping public policy.

Learn more about the Israeli-American Civic Action Network at IsraelUSA.org.