Arizona Teachers at Risk: New Antisemitism Bill Targets Criticism of Israel

A contentious bill aiming to allow parents in Arizona to sue educators for allegedly teaching antisemitism has passed in the state legislature. However, the measure has drawn criticism due to its broad definition of the term, encompassing many criticisms of Israel.

Proponents of House Bill 2867 argue that it addresses rising antisemitism in educational settings. Critics, including several Democrats, claim it infringes upon First Amendment rights, potentially stifling discussions on critical issues like the Gaza conflict.

The legislation prohibits public K-12 and university educators from teaching antisemitism and bars schools from offering antisemitic professional development. It also allows students or parents to pursue civil lawsuits against teachers, holding them personally liable—an unprecedented shift in liability protections for educators.

Democratic lawmakers expressed concern that this could jeopardize educators’ financial security, exposing them to lawsuits based on subjective interpretations of their teaching. They emphasized that the law could be manipulated by individuals seeking to target educators for personal or political reasons.

The backdrop of this debate includes a marked rise in reported antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents in the U.S., particularly following the October 7 attack by Hamas, which left over 1,200 individuals dead and sparked a prolonged military response from Israel. The aftermath has also heavily impacted Gaza, with reports of significant civilian casualties.

In Arizona, incidents of antisemitism surged eightfold between 2019 and 2023, though some statistics show a decrease in reported incidents recently. Nevertheless, the Anti-Defamation League has faced scrutiny for its categorization of pro-Palestinian activism as antisemitic.

Nationally, the Council on American-Islamic Relations reported a record number of Islamophobia complaints in 2024, contextualizing this measure amid rising tensions surrounding Middle Eastern geopolitics.

Sen. Hildy Angius, a supporter of the bill, noted the necessity of acknowledging antisemitism’s increasing prevalence. However, opponents, including Democratic senators, countered that the bill would further divide conversations about discrimination and diminish the focus on education.

During discussions, Sen. Mitzi Epstein put forth an amendment seeking to eliminate personal liability for educators and to broaden the scope to include various forms of discrimination. Her efforts faced a partisan rejection. Epstein challenged the bill’s supporters for lacking real-world examples of antisemitic teachings in Arizona’s schools.

By employing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism, the bill highlights certain behaviors while sidelining others that could serve to suppress legitimate critiques of Israeli policies.

Critics are voicing concerns that the legislation could be used to stifle free speech, particularly regarding Palestinian rights and experiences. Recent testimonies in legislative hearings revealed that many students felt unsafe discussing their lived realities, raising questions about the bill’s implications for open dialogue in classrooms.

The bill’s passage through the Arizona Senate came with a 16-12 vote, with only one Republican joining the Democrats in opposition. It will return to the House for final amendments before seeking the governor’s approval.