Attorney General Jason Miyares urges Virginia schools to adopt IHRA definition of antisemitism

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Attorney General Jason Miyares is urging all Virginia K through 12 schools to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism into policies.

On Monday, Jan. 5, Miyares sent a letter to all school superintendents for schools teaching kindergarten through 12th-grade students. He urged them to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism into their code of conduct and discrimination policies to protect Jewish students.

The IHRA defines antisemitism as being "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 IHRA definition further states.

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Even though violent crimes have decreased in Virginia in 2024, there was a 25% increase in hate crimes reported and a 154.5% increase in crimes involving anti-Jewish views, according to the Virginia State Police (VSP) in their 2024 annual crime report.

“Every student in Virginia has the right to learn in an environment free from fear,” Miyares said. “The IHRA definition provides schools with a clear framework to recognize and respond to antisemitic conduct and distinguish protected speech from unlawful discrimination, intimidation, and harassment.”

In his letter to school leaders, Miyares stated that they are obligated under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Virginia Human Rights Act and Chapter 471 of the Acts of Assembly of 2023, which formally adopted the IHRA definition into Virginia's law “as a tool and guide for training, education, recognizing, and combating antisemitic hate crimes or discrimination and for tracking and reporting antisemitic incidents.”

The letter additionally added that the law requires schools to address discriminatory actions based on ancestry and ethnic characteristics, such as the Jewish religion. The IHRA definition serves as a guide to address when illegal action is motivated by antisemitism.

VSP's annual crime report showed an increase of 108.3% from 2023 to 2024 in religion-based bias crimes. Miyares' office said this reinforces that a clear and direct definition of antisemitism is needed to properly address it in its various media forms, such as historical stereotypes and modern-day threats.

In August of 2025, the Office of the Attorney General's Antisemitism Task Force published an antisemitism lesson on 'Virginia Rules.' This is the state's law-related education program for elementary, middle and high school students.

The lesson explained the anti-discrimination laws that protect Jewish Virginians and teaches an overview of the Jewish religion, culture and history.

“Pushing back against antisemitism requires clarity, consistency, and courage. We cannot fight something we fail to define," said Miyares. "By adopting this resolution, schools can meet their legal obligations while upholding constitutional principles and ensuring equal access to education for every student.”

You can read the full letter here.