(The Center Square) – Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order Monday expanding Virginia’s efforts to combat antisemitism and religious bigotry in K–12 public schools and colleges.
Executive Order 48 directs the Virginia Department of Education and the State Council of Higher Education to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism in all student conduct codes. It also requires that public institutions use instructional materials that accurately cover Judaism, Jewish history, the Holocaust and Israel.
“No one should be unsafe in the classroom or on campus or feel targeted because of their religion or heritage,” Youngkin said in the order, citing a rise in antisemitic threats, vandalism and harassment since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.
The order highlights more than 150 antisemitic incidents reported in Virginia public schools over the past two years and calls for updated policies, prevention resources and disciplinary measures to address religiously motivated harassment.
Concerns have also escalated on Virginia college campuses. At the University of Virginia, Jewish students and advocacy groups say recent protests included antisemitic slogans, glorification of Hamas leaders and online threats. A social media post by The Jefferson Council, a UVA-affiliated alumni group, described the current climate as “the worst outbreak of antisemitism in its history.” The post claims UVA received an “F” rating previously from the Anti-Defamation League and is under federal investigation.
Youngkin’s order builds on previous steps, including the 2022 creation of a Commission to Combat Antisemitism, bipartisan legislation strengthening hate crime laws, and $2.7 million in protective grants for schools and houses of worship. In late 2024, the administration also partnered with the Combat Antisemitism Movement and George Washington University to train over 475 law enforcement officers across Virginia.
The new directive establishes a statewide working group made up of education officials, law enforcement and Jewish community stakeholders to design a tracking system for antisemitic and anti-religious incidents.
The order clarifies that none of its provisions may infringe on First Amendment rights under the U.S. or Virginia constitutions. It took effect immediately upon Youngkin’s signature on May 19.
