Horne lauds AZ law requiring holocaust instruction

Marks anniversary of 2023 attack on Israel

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne says today’s anniversary of the horrific Hamas attack on Israel is a potent reminder of the continuing need for Holocaust instruction and he is praising Arizona’s law that requires such teaching.

Horne said, “Today marks two years since the cowardly attack on Israel in which approximately 1,200 people were murdered and many others who were raped, tortured and taken captive. This was followed by massive demonstrations all around the world… in favor of the attackers. If those demonstrators had had Holocaust study at school, they would not have been so quick to endorse Hamas’ murder, rape, and torture of innocent Jewish people. To date there are still 48 hostages – living and dead - that have not been released by Hamas, which perpetrated these attacks.”

He added, “My parents were Polish Jewish refugees from Hitler. My father predicted the Nazi invasion of Poland and urged his extended family and friends to also leave. But it is hard for people to leave their culture and language, and all of my extended family were eventually killed in the Holocaust. This is a stark reminder that we as a society must never forget such evil. That is why I will always remain committed to ensuring Arizona public schools implement Arizona law regarding instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides. Each district and charter is required to attest to their compliance on their State Report Card to ensure transparency on this important issue.”

The Arizona Department of Education provides resources, training, and support for educators in meeting the law requiring students to receive instruction in the Holocaust and other genocides at least once in middle school and once in high school through the Arizona Holocaust and Genocide Education Resource webpage .

This assistance is optional, but compliance with state statute is obligatory.