Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed House Bill 2867, rejecting a proposal to formally adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism in K‑12 schools and higher education. The legislation would have barred teaching antisemitism—including calls for genocide or hate against Jews—and allowed civil suits against educators violating the standard.
Gov. Hobbs wrote in her veto message that the measure was “not about antisemitism” but “about attacking our teachers,” warning it could expose educators to excessive personal liability and place undue burdens on public instruction. Critics raised concerns that the definition’s language around Israel could chill classroom discussions and limit academic freedom.
HB 2867 passed the Arizona Legislature with bipartisan support—33 to 20 in the House—including some Democrats. Proponents described it as necessary to curb rising antisemitic incidents, while opponents argued its legal provisions could trigger censorship and threaten Holocaust education.
Arizona’s veto adds to a national conversation on defining and addressing antisemitism. Several state legislatures, including Louisiana and Michigan, are considering similar measures to enshrine IHRA definitions . The IHRA definition outlines examples of antisemitism, some linked to criticism of Israel—an approach that has drawn scrutiny for potentially conflating anti‑Jewish bias with political dissent.
Jewish community voices expressed mixed reactions. The Tucson Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center warned that the bill risked undermining comprehensive Holocaust education, noting that “discussions could be deemed antisemitic depending on how a single phrase is interpreted.” They urged lawmakers not to sacrifice nuanced teaching on historical context.
Free speech advocates and civil rights groups also voiced objections, calling the proposal’s liability clauses “draconian” and a threat to open scholarly inquiry, particularly on subjects involving the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
