Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a Republican-backed bill that would have allowed students and parents to sue teachers over allegations of antisemitism, claiming the legislation was about “attacking teachers” rather than addressing hatred against Jews.
Key Takeaways
- GOP governors are implementing comprehensive educational reforms to combat a 600% increase in antisemitic incidents since September 2023, particularly on college campuses
- Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a Republican-backed antisemitism bill that would have made educators personally liable for complaints, claiming it unfairly targeted public school teachers
- Republican states, including Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Virginia, have established specific protocols for addressing antisemitism in schools, including designated Title VI coordinators and mandatory reporting systems
- The House Committee on Education and Workforce is actively investigating college administrations’ handling of antisemitism, with some university presidents facing tough questioning about their response to incidents on campus
Democrat Governor Blocks Antisemitism Bill Despite Rising Concerns
In a move that has angered many conservatives, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill that would have allowed students and parents to sue teachers over allegations of antisemitism. The “Antisemitism in Education Act” was designed to combat growing antisemitic incidents in schools, but was rejected by the Democratic governor, who claimed the legislation was misguided. The bill would have made educators personally liable for antisemitism complaints, which Hobbs claimed unfairly targeted public school teachers while exempting private school staff. The veto comes at a time when antisemitic incidents have skyrocketed nationwide.
“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 the governor’s assessment, pointing to documented incidents of harassment and discrimination against Jewish students. “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 in publicly funded institutions of higher learning,” said Rep. Michael Way.
You’re Only For Free Speech If You Defend It For People You Hate
We should protect people physically, not emotionally
by @galexybrane & @shellenberger
A Israel supporter (left) shouts slogans against Pro-Palestinian demonstrators as they hold a protests outside Columbia… pic.twitter.com/WOzG2EMOlB— Michael Shellenberger (@shellenberger) May 1, 2024
Republican States Lead the Charge Against Campus Antisemitism
While Arizona’s efforts were stalled by Governor Hobbs, Republican-led states across the country are implementing robust measures to combat the alarming 600% increase in antisemitic incidents since September 2023. GOP governors in Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Virginia have taken decisive action by establishing designated Title VI coordinators to handle antisemitic complaints and implementing mandatory reporting systems. These initiatives represent a comprehensive approach to addressing what many conservatives view as an epidemic of antisemitism being ignored or even tacitly supported by liberal administrations.
“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 Governors Bill Lee, Sarah Sanders, Kevin Stitt, and Glenn Youngkin in a joint statement.
The Republican governors have implemented clear guidelines requiring public schools to address antisemitism like any other form of discrimination. Student codes of conduct must now define antisemitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance standard, which provides specific criteria for identifying antisemitic behavior. Additionally, these states are expanding Holocaust education and incorporating Jewish-American history into school curricula, recognizing that education is critical to combating prejudice and hatred. The measures represent a stark contrast to the hesitant approach seen in Democrat-led states.
Congress Turns Up Heat on College Administrators
The House Committee on Education and Workforce, led by Republicans, has launched investigations into how college administrations are handling antisemitism on their campuses. In contentious hearings, university presidents from institutions including Haverford College and DePaul University faced tough questioning about their response to incidents targeting Jewish students. Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik pressed Haverford’s president about disciplinary actions taken against a professor accused of antisemitic behavior, highlighting the lack of transparency in many institutions’ handling of such cases.
“Let us be clear: No student should face threats in the classroom or on campus, nor feel targeted because of their religion or heritage,” stated Governors Bill Lee, Sarah Sanders, Kevin Stitt, and Glenn Youngkin.
Some Democrats have pushed back against these investigations, accusing Republicans of using antisemitism concerns to suppress free speech on campuses. Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott claimed, “The Trump administration has taken a sledgehammer to due process rights of institutions.” However, Republicans counter that free speech does not protect acts of violence or threats against Jewish students, a position clearly articulated by GOP governors: “We believe in free speech, but the First Amendment does not protect acts of violence or threats of physical harm.”
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
A Civil Rights Issue Requiring Decisive Action
The fight against antisemitism is increasingly being framed as a crucial civil rights issue by Republican leaders. With incidents ranging from harassment of Jewish students to violent attacks, including a targeted arson against Pennsylvania’s Jewish governor, the threat has moved beyond mere rhetoric. Conservative lawmakers are pushing for schools to implement clear investigative procedures to address incidents and hold perpetrators accountable. The stark contrast between Republican-led initiatives and Democratic hesitation has become a defining feature of the response to rising antisemitism.
As antisemitic incidents continue to rise across the country, particularly on college campuses, the need for comprehensive educational reforms becomes increasingly urgent. While Democrat governors like Katie Hobbs claim to stand against antisemitism while vetoing practical measures to combat it, Republican-led states are demonstrating that effective action requires more than empty platitudes. The protection of Jewish students and faculty has become yet another battleground in the nation’s deepening political divide, with conservatives leading the charge to ensure that hatred has no place in American classrooms.
