Arizona Governor Vetoes Antisemitism Bill, Citing Concerns Over Educator Liability

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed a bill that aimed to ban the teaching of antisemitism in the state's public schools and universities. The proposal also included provisions for disciplining educators who violated the new rules, potentially exposing them to lawsuits.

Governor Hobbs, a Democrat, stated that the bill was not truly about combating antisemitism, but rather an attack on teachers. She expressed concern over the personal liability the bill placed on educators, making them vulnerable to costly lawsuits. She also criticized the bill for creating a double standard, targeting public school teachers while shielding private school staff.

The bill had passed the state legislature with support from some Democrats. The proposal sought to prevent teachers and administrators from promoting antisemitism or creating hostile environments through antisemitic actions. It also aimed to prohibit the use of public funds to support the teaching of antisemitism.

The bill's provisions included personal financial responsibility for educators in the event of lawsuits. Democrats attempted to amend the bill, seeking to remove the lawsuit provision and replace references to antisemitism with broader terms of unlawful discrimination, but were unsuccessful.

The bill's sponsor argued that the proposal was necessary to hold educators accountable for protecting students from the rise in antisemitism, particularly since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. However, opponents argued that the bill would silence those who speak out on the oppression of Palestinians and expose educators to legal risks.

The proposal outlined a disciplinary process for violations. In K-12 schools, a first offense would result in a reprimand, a second offense would lead to suspension of a teacher's certificate, and a third offense would result in certificate revocation. Universities and colleges would also face disciplinary actions, including reprimands, suspensions, and termination. The proposal also included restrictions on recognizing student organizations that promote antisemitism.