Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a crucial bill that would have allowed students and parents to sue teachers over antisemitism allegations, even as GOP governors across the nation unite to combat a 600% surge in anti-Jewish hatred since September 2023.
Key Takeaways
- Governor Hobbs vetoed an antisemitism education bill, claiming it would unfairly target teachers while imposing “unacceptable” personal liability, despite rising concerns about antisemitism in educational settings.
- GOP governors from Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Virginia are leading initiatives to combat antisemitism through executive orders, legislation, and educational reforms.
- Antisemitic incidents have skyrocketed by 600% since September 2023, with college campuses becoming particular hotspots for this growing threat.
- Republican lawmakers are challenging college presidents about their handling of antisemitism, while some Democrats criticize these efforts as threats to free speech.
- Conservative leaders are implementing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism in student codes of conduct while strengthening Holocaust education.
Arizona Governor Blocks Antisemitism Legislation
In a move that has sparked outrage among conservatives, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed House Bill 2867, the “Antisemitism in Education Act,” which would have allowed students and parents to sue educators over allegations of antisemitism. Hobbs defended her decision by claiming the legislation wasn’t actually aimed at combating hatred but instead targeted teachers. The Democrat governor’s veto comes at a time when antisemitic incidents have reached alarming levels nationwide, particularly in educational institutions where Jewish students increasingly report feeling unsafe and targeted.
“Unfortunately, this bill is not about antisemitism. It’s about attacking our teachers. It puts an unacceptable level of personal liability in place for our public school, community college, and university educators and staff, opening them up to threats of personally costly lawsuits,” said Gov. Katie Hobbs.
The bill’s sponsor, Republican Representative Michael Way, strongly disagreed with Hobbs’ characterization, emphasizing that the legislation aimed to protect Jewish students from discrimination and harassment. Critics noted that the bill exempted private schools from its provisions, which Hobbs cited as evidence of unfair targeting of public educators. However, supporters argue that public schools, as government institutions, should be held to higher standards when it comes to protecting all students from discrimination, including antisemitism.
Congressional Republicans Demand Accountability from Colleges
While Democrat governors like Hobbs block antisemitism legislation, Republican lawmakers in Congress are taking decisive action through oversight hearings targeting educational institutions. The House Committee on Education and the Workforce, under Republican leadership, has been grilling college presidents about their handling of antisemitism incidents following the Israel-Hamas war. These hearings have revealed disturbing patterns of institutional indifference and even hostility toward Jewish students, with committee members demanding explanations for the apparent double standard in how antisemitism is treated compared to other forms of discrimination.
“In the same spirit, HB 2867 aims to ensure that pernicious form of hatred, antisemitism, and its often-violent outcomes, have no place being actively taught in our classrooms or publicly funded institutions of higher learning,” said Rep. Michael Way.
Republican Representative Elise Stefanik has been particularly pointed in her questioning, challenging Haverford College’s president about disciplinary actions against professors promoting antisemitism. Democrats on the committee have largely downplayed these concerns, with Virginia Representative Bobby Scott attempting to frame the hearings as an attack on due process rights. This partisan divide highlights how the left continues to minimize antisemitism while conservatives take concrete steps to protect Jewish students from harassment and discrimination.
Chairman @RepWalberg and several Members of the Committee just sent a letter to @Harvard's president to investigate reports of discrimination in the school's hiring practices—in violation of the Civil Rights Act.
These reports come as the school fails to address antisemitism on… https://t.co/jARJDDqCil pic.twitter.com/DfZP31pF0n— House Committee on Education & Workforce (@EdWorkforceCmte) June 10, 2025
GOP Governors Lead the Charge Against Antisemitism
While Democrats like Governor Hobbs block antisemitism legislation, Republican governors across the country are taking meaningful action to protect Jewish students and combat rising hatred. Governors Bill Lee of Tennessee, Sarah Sanders of Arkansas, Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, and Glenn Youngkin of Virginia have jointly committed to implementing robust measures in their states. These include adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, strengthening Holocaust education requirements, and establishing dedicated coordinators to handle antisemitism complaints under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
“It’s time for leaders of conscience to draw a bright line, translating rhetoric into robust action to protect all members of the Jewish community from the scourge of antisemitism,” wrote Bill Lee, Sarah Sanders, Kevin Stitt, and Glenn Youngkin.
The contrast between red and blue state approaches couldn’t be clearer. While Democrat-led states block measures to hold antisemites accountable, Republican governors are taking decisive action to ensure that Jewish students receive equal protection under the law. These GOP leaders recognize that the fight against antisemitism isn’t just about protecting one religious community – it’s about upholding fundamental civil rights principles that benefit all Americans. Their leadership demonstrates that conservatives are willing to stand against hatred and discrimination, even when the political left seems more concerned with protecting teachers’ unions than Jewish students.
“Let us be clear: No student should face threats in the classroom or on campus, nor feel targeted because of their religion or heritage,” declared Bill Lee, Sarah Sanders, Kevin Stitt and Glenn Youngkin.
