Grand Canyon Times

Horne has issued a directive via email, requiring all districts and charters to submit their plans for implementing the mandate by the 24th.

The Arizona Department of Education quoted Horne as saying, "During the past three months we have learned all-too-well how many people are ignorant about the realities of the Holocaust and other genocides of history. We have heard about pro-Hamas and anti-American propaganda being spread in a high school student club, students being intimidated because of their ethnicity, and we have seen pro-Hamas protests on college campuses."

In addition to his previous statement, Horne also said, "Expressions of hatred like this are unacceptable in an educational setting and a powerful way to combat this scourge is with learning. Students would not be vulnerable to antisemitic propaganda if they had received proper Holocaust instruction. I’m grateful state law exists to require instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides, and it is important to ensure that districts and charter schools are in compliance."

Newsweek reports that students must receive at least two lessons on the Holocaust as well as other genocides between grades seven and twelve. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, who signed the law into effect, believes that this will help decrease the recent rise in antisemitism in the state. Alma Hernandez, a Democratic state Representative who is also Jewish, was a strong advocate for this bill despite previous unsuccessful attempts to get it passed through the state legislature.