A report from the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission shows a rise in antisemitic incidents in Texas. These incidents almost doubled from 2022 to 2023 and have stayed high in 2024. The incidents include things like verbal abuse in schools, antisemitic flyers, and disruptions at city council meetings, according to JNS.
The report points out the rise of antisemitism in schools, including at the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas at Dallas, and Rice University, where Jewish students have faced discrimination. In response, the commission is taking steps to address the issue and raise awareness. Kenneth Goldberg, the chair of the commission, said, "from campuses to communities, our commission has been actively fighting back so that Texans can come together to fight this scourge," as stated by JNS.
The Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission, led by Gov. Greg Abbott, has made several suggestions to fight antisemitism. One is to penalize people who wear masks while committing crimes. Abbott also signed "Senate Bill 1517, which prohibited public colleges and universities from boycotting study and research in foreign nations." The commission wants schools to use the IHRA's definition of antisemitism to help people better understand it. The state has also set aside $10.4 million to improve security at Jewish schools and community centers. The commission is working on education and training to help Texans recognize and address antisemitism, as reported by KVUE.
