Arizona, Other States Tackle Antisemitism in Education

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill that would have allowed students and parents to sue public school teachers over alleged antisemitism, citing concerns that it unfairly targeted educators and could chill classroom discussion. Hobbs reaffirmed her commitment to combating antisemitism, highlighting her expansion of Holocaust education and support for related initiatives. In New York, lawmakers passed legislation requiring colleges to appoint Title VI coordinators to address discrimination, including antisemitism, in higher education. California has also advanced legislation to create an antisemitism coordinator and strengthen K–12 protections against religious and ethnic discrimination, though the bill has faced criticism from groups such as CAIR-CA, who argue it threatens academic freedom and advocacy for Palestinian rights. These actions are part of a broader national trend to address rising antisemitism in educational institutions. However, the measures have sparked debate over how to balance civil rights protections, free expression, and the fair treatment of educators.