Proposed Bill Advances in Texas Senate to Address Antisemitic Incidents in Schools
A bill that aims to bolster schools’ ability to discipline students for antisemitic incidents at public schools and colleges has advanced in the Texas Senate. The debate comes just days after President Donald Trump’s administration announced that federal officials will monitor social media for antisemitic activity, which could result in international students and others losing their immigration status if they are found to have engaged in such activity.
The proposed bill requires Texas school administrators to consider the state’s definition of antisemitism during student disciplinary cases. This definition, adopted into law in 2021, is based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which includes “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews” and “rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism” directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals, their property, and Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.
Free Speech Concerns
Free speech advocates fear that the bill could have a chilling effect, particularly when it comes to protests or actions opposing the war in Gaza. Last spring, college students across Texas protested Israel’s response to the October 7 attack by Hamas, with some chanting slogans such as “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order directing schools to update their free speech policies to address what he described as rising antisemitism on campuses, which included establishing punishments up to expulsion.
A Muslim advocacy group sued over the order, alleging that it violated the Constitution by limiting free speech. Senator José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, raised concerns that the bill would not protect students’ First Amendment right to criticize the Israeli government, which he noted was very different from discrimination against people of the Jewish faith.
Context and Intent
During the debate, Menéndez noted that the bill must strike a balance between addressing antisemitism and protecting free speech. Senator Phil King, R-Weatherford, said that his bill does not infringe upon free speech because administrators must first determine that a student has violated the code of conduct to apply the definition of antisemitism.
King described the definition as “guidance” for school administrators trying to determine whether a student’s actions were motivated by antisemitism. He noted that school administrators would be allowed to consider the context of a chant or slogan, such as “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which could be considered antisemitic in some instances and not in others.
Trump Administration’s Stance on Antisemitism
The Trump administration has taken a hard stance on what it describes as antisemitism, with immigration officials taking action against some students involved in last year’s protests. Most notably, Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate who was a permanent legal resident, and Rümeysa Öztürk, a doctoral student at Tufts University, were detained and arrested based on their political activism over the war in Gaza.
An immigration judge in Louisiana recently ruled that the federal government could deport Khalil. This has raised concerns among international students, with some expressing fear that they could be targeted for their political views or activism.
Education Lab
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas. The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, Judy and Jim Gibbs, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Ron and Phyllis Steinhart, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks, and the University of Texas at Dallas.
Conclusion
The proposed bill in Texas aims to address antisemitic incidents in schools, but it has raised concerns about free speech and the potential for chilling effects on students’ ability to express their views. As the debate continues, it is essential to consider the context and intent behind students’ actions and to strike a balance between addressing antisemitism and protecting free speech.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the proposed bill in Texas about?
A: The proposed bill requires Texas school administrators to consider the state’s definition of antisemitism during student disciplinary cases.
Q: What is the definition of antisemitism used in the bill?
A: The definition of antisemitism used in the bill is based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition, which includes “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews” and “rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism” directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals, their property, and Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.
Q: What are the concerns about the bill?
A: Free speech advocates fear that the bill could have a chilling effect, particularly when it comes to protests or actions opposing the war in Gaza. There are also concerns that the bill could be used to target international students who express views critical of the Israeli government.
