Arizona’s Antisemitism in Education Act Clears Legislature en Route to Governor’s Desk

The Arizona House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to pass HB 2867, known as the Antisemitism in Education Act, clearing its final hurdle before it reaches Governor Katie Hobbs for approval.

If signed into law, the bill would enable students and their families to hold educators legally responsible for promoting antisemitic views in schools. Under the proposed legislation, teachers would bear the burden of their own legal expenses. The bill defines antisemitism according to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s guidelines.

Concerns have been raised about the bill’s implications. Marisol Garcia, President of the Arizona Education Association, highlighted potential consequences for educators. She stated that a student’s perception of an interaction could lead to legal action against a teacher without any prior discussions with the institution or mediation efforts.

Critics have pointed out the bill’s narrow focus on antisemitism, raising questions about its applicability to other forms of discrimination. However, state Representative Walt Blackman, R-Snowflake, claimed the legislation serves as a foundational step to protect various communities from discriminatory practices.

While the vote largely followed party lines, there were notable exceptions. State Senator Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, expressed his reservations about the bill’s language during a statement to Cronkite News. He emphasized concerns about the broad and subjective nature of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, warning that it could be weaponized against free speech.

Dissent regarding the bill also surfaced in the House. Assistant Minority Leader Nancy Gutierrez, D-Tucson, questioned the exclusion of private schools and warned this legislation could deter educators from working in Arizona. “We have an extreme shortage of teachers, and allowing students to sue their teachers may worsen that situation,” she argued.

State Representative Alma Hernandez, D-Tucson, departed from her party by co-sponsoring the bill. Identifying as part of the Jewish community, she expressed alarm over antisemitic symbols in schools, such as a Palestinian flag she spotted nearby, which she believes distracts from educational integrity.

Following the vote, state Representative Michael Way, R-Queen Creek, urged Governor Hobbs to enact the law, asserting that students and teachers deserve an educational environment free from hate. “This bill ensures schools are places of learning, not battlegrounds for political indoctrination,” he stated.

In contrast, the Arizona Education Association continues to advocate for a veto. Garcia outlined worries about the bill’s impact on teacher retention in the state, emphasizing that its vague definition of “antisemitism” could lead to insecurity among educators, particularly when teaching historical content.