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AZ lawmakers aim to stop antisemitism in schools. The solutions are vague

A bipartisan panel of state lawmakers heard from pro-Israel speakers on Tuesday who say antisemitism is on the rise in Arizona schools, but it’s not clear what actions legislators can or will take to prevent it.

State lawmakers suggested options like allowing students to carry firearms on school campuses or opting out of paying student activity fees that support groups students claim are harassing them.

“It’s a real concern that there’s a target on your back,” Rabbi Shmuel Tiechtel told the panel. 

He’s worked with ASU’s Jewish students for years and said that since Oct. 7, they feel unsafe.

Jewish Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R-Scottsdale) suggested cutting the budgets of certain schools.

“To the extent that Jewish students are not being protected on campus, uh, to the extent that that there's favoritism being shown in terms of enforcement of universally applicable university policies towards these genocidal maniacs, well, I mean, that's certainly going to be considered as we're going through the budget and trying to figure out where to cut,” he said.

Jewish Rep. Consuelo Hernandez (D-Tucson) said she doesn’t support the idea of letting students carry guns on campus — and doubts her Democratic colleagues would, either. Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill that would have accomplished that in this year’s legislative session. 

But Hernandez didn't rule out another suggestion from Republican lawmakers — allowing students to opt out of paying activities fees that fund groups like Students for Justice in Palestine.

“Every student should feel safe, and that just hasn’t been the case, especially now when discussions around the Israel-Palestinian conflict can turn very hostile very quickly,” Hernandez said. 

She added that schools should feel secure in their ability to shut down dangerous speech without fear of repercussions based on First Amendment concerns.

The lawmakers have not decided whether they will hold more hearings on the topic or invite other speakers.

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Camryn Sanchez is a field correspondent at KJZZ covering everything to do with state politics.