Education Committee hears proposal to combat antisemitism

Feb. 3, 2025, 6 p.m. ·

Sen. Brian Hardin speaks to the Education Committee Monday (Photo by Fred Knapp, Nebraska Public Media News)
Sen. Brian Hardin speaks to the Education Committee Monday. (Photo by Fred Knapp, Nebraska Public Media News)

Listen To This Story

The Education Committee heard testimony Monday afternoon on a proposal by Sen. Brian Hardin that he said would combat antisemitism.

The proposal, LB538, would require schools and colleges to adopt policies and training on antisemitism. It uses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which states “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

The Alliance says criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic. However, it gives as an example of antisemitism drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.

Hardin said there has been a rise in this type of behavior.

“In recent years, and especially after the attacks on Oct. 7, antisemitism has been on the rise across the country, including in our schools and on our college and university campuses,” Hardin said.

Attacks spearheaded by Hamas killed around 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023, according to Israeli authorities. Since then, Israeli retaliation has resulted in the deaths of about 47,000 Palestinians, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Adam Beren, of Wichita, heads an organization called the Combat Antisemitism Movement. He said Hardin’s bill is an example of legislation he’s been promoting in states around the country. Beren said schools and colleges in other states have become “hotbeds” of antisemitic activity.

“While Nebraska has not been a hotbed, just like Wichita in Kansas has not been a hotbed, there have been some minor activity at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln,” Beren said. "There was a protest, a gathering, a march, whatever you want to call it, in May of 2024 by the Students For Justice in Palestine organization."

That group held a peaceful protest last May and demanded that the university end its study abroad program in Israel, disclose all investments in the country, end those investments and refuse further grants and money.

Students from Columbia University and the University of Colorado testified at the hearing to antisemitism on those campuses.

And Sandra Rips, a Jewish attorney from Lincoln, said she had experienced problems growing up in Nebraska.

“Growing up Jewish in Nebraska has meant that I have never been in the majority in my entire life, not ever, not in school, not in my employment. And that means that I have had to deal with all sorts of annoyances, anguishes and heartaches, dealing with it,” Rips said.

No one spoke against the bill. But testifying neutral, Maimoon Qureshi, a Muslim-American student in Lincoln Public Schools, suggested its focus was too narrow.

“I’ve faced a lot of discrimination. I've been called numerous slurs, which I can't name, just awful slurs…One of the biggest issues, I think, right now is we just keep chair picking when to propose a bill like this,” Qureshi said.

The committee took no immediate action on the bill.

More from the Unicameral:

Pillen's appointment to head Administrative Services challenged

Legislative proposal would end sales taxes on residential utilities in Nebraska

Gig workers' status, death penalty discussed in Legislature

Nebraskans debate winner-take-all at hearing

Judiciary Committee considers proposals to ban or regulate Delta 8

Nebraska seeks Colorado canal land, school choice fight resumes

Reimbursing teachers for school supplies, requiring colleges to report foreign funding heard by Legislature's Education Committee

Senators keep restrictions on bills, consider prison changes