Reaffirming the Commonwealth's support and commitment to the State of Israel and its supporters.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Glen Sturtevant

Virginia reaffirms support for Israel and Jewish Americans, urges law enforcement and schools to combat antisemitism, share IHRA resources, and protect campus learning environments

Left in Rules

Overview

SJ284 is a Virginia Senate joint resolution introduced on January 17, 2025 and currently left in the Rules committee. The resolution reaffirms the Commonwealth’s support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel, as well as to Jewish Americans and to those who support Israel, regardless of faith or persuasion. It also directs actions intended to address antisemitism and to safeguard Jewish students and supporters on Virginia’s campuses and in K-12 schools.

What the bill does (Key provisions)

Affirmation of support: Reaffirms Virginia’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s welfare, security, and survival, and to Jewish Americans and others who support Israel.

Call to law enforcement: Urges Virginia law-enforcement agencies to remain vigilant in protecting Jewish students and supporters of Israel from crime and discrimination in K-12 schools and colleges/universities.

Educational environment: Encourages K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and student organizations to ensure Jewish students, faculty, and staff can pursue academic and personal goals without fear.

Provision of resources: Calls on the Commonwealth and its agencies to promptly provide educational resources and assistance to combat antisemitism to any educational institution or student organization that requests it.

IHRA definition outreach: Requires that at the start of every academic year at all Virginia K-12 and higher education institutions, staff and student leadership groups are informed about the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, the available resources to combat antisemitism, and the ongoing obligation to ensure no student, faculty member, or administrator experiences antisemitism or anti-Israel hatred.

Contextual references: Recites historical context, including prior Virginia actions and national events (e.g., Hamas attacks in 2023, rise in antisemitism, and Governor Youngkin’s Executive Directive Six).

Who is affected

State and local law enforcement in Virginia (public safety officials responsible for campus security and protection of communities).

K-12 schools and institutions of higher education (colleges, universities, and their student organizations) and their students, faculty, and staff.

Supporters of Israel and Jewish students/faculty/staff within Virginia campuses and schools.

State agencies and educational institutions that may provide or coordinate antisemitism resources.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: January 17, 2025.

Status: Left in Rules (referred to Committee on Rules upon introduction).

Nature of measure: A resolution, not substantive law. It expresses the General Assembly’s position and directs agencies to take actions, but does not create new, enforceable statutes with budgetary implications.

Potential impact

Primarily symbolic and guiding in nature, signaling strong support for Israel and for safeguarding Jewish communities within Virginia.

May lead to increased campus-focused training, resources, and dissemination of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, potentially influencing campus climate and policy discussions.

Because it is a resolution, it does not authorize new spending or create enforceable statutory requirements beyond the guidance and exhortations directed to agencies and educational institutions.

Bill