Virginia AG Jason Miyares Urges K-12 Schools to Adopt Antisemitism Definition

Attorney General Calls for IHRA Definition Adoption

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares issued a letter on January 5, 2026, urging all K-12 school superintendents and school boards across the Commonwealth to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism into their codes of conduct and discrimination policies. This action, one of Miyares's final acts in office, underscores a commitment to protecting Jewish students and providing a clear framework for identifying and responding to antisemitic behavior in educational settings.

Rationale Behind the Urging

Attorney General Miyares highlighted a concerning increase in antisemitic incidents within Virginia. According to his letter, the Commonwealth experienced a 25% increase in reported hate crimes in 2024, with crimes involving anti-Jewish bias rising by a stark 154.5%. Miyares stated, 'Every student in Virginia has the right to learn in an environment free from fear.' He emphasized that the IHRA definition offers schools a 'clear framework to recognize and respond to antisemitic conduct and distinguish protected speech from unlawful discrimination, intimidation, and harassment.' Furthermore, Miyares noted that discrimination against Jewish students often 'masks itself as 'anti-Zionism,' targeting the majority of Jews whose identity includes connection to the modern Jewish state of Israel and fellow Jews who live there.' He concluded, 'We cannot fight something we fail to define.'

Understanding the IHRA Working Definition

The IHRA working definition of antisemitism, adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in 2016, is a non-legally binding document widely used as a guide by governments and organizations globally. It defines antisemitism as: '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 definition is accompanied by 11 illustrative examples that help clarify how antisemitism can manifest, including instances related to the State of Israel. However, it explicitly states that 'criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic.'

Virginia's Existing Legal Framework

Virginia has already taken steps to address antisemitism at the state level. On March 24, 2023, the Commonwealth formally adopted the IHRA definition into state law through Chapter 471 of the Acts of Assembly of 2023, making it a standard for training, education, and tracking antisemitic incidents. Attorney General Miyares reminded school leaders of their existing obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Virginia Human Rights Act, which require schools to address discriminatory hostile environments based on shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics. Additionally, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 48 in May 2025, further expanding efforts to combat antisemitism in Virginia public schools and institutions of higher education, which also incorporated the IHRA definition as a standard.