The state House Education Committee passed a bill that would ban any public school instruction deemed antisemitic.
Rabbi Pinchas Allouche says these protections are needed. He says criticizing Israel is not anti-Semitic, but some go too far.
"But genocidal chants of 'free Palestine,' 'River to the Sea,' any silent or verbal support of terrorist groups and actions, and any attack on Israel’s very right to exist are nothing but pure evil, disgusting and intolerable antisemitism," Allouche said.
Isela Blanc with the Arizona Education Association voiced concern that the penalties are too severe. The bill would give adult students, or parents of minor students, the right to take alleged violators to court.
"A student will be able to sue that educator out of their house and home," Blanc said. "And you tell me, who would want to stay in that classroom if that legislation becomes law?"
She says that’s especially concerning since the bill’s wording could have multiple interpretations.
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Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs is proposing a $17.7 billion state budget focused on affordability projects, but it relies on uncertain federal reimbursements and deals with Republicans that have yet to materialize. -
In a post, the State Department called Mexico’s progress on border security “unacceptable.” Meanwhile, Mexico’s president is calling on the United States to do more to stop the flow of firearms into her country. -
Public health agencies faced a chaotic few days after the Trump administration canceled more than $2 billion in grants for mental health and addiction programs, but then quickly reversed course. -
It wasn’t so long ago that comedy was practically synonymous with the left. But things have changed. -
The Alhambra Elementary School District is considering closing a campus that serves refugee families from across the globe.
