Speakers at a conference on antisemitism on Feb. 27 praised ASU and its president, Michael Crow, for efforts to protect Jewish members of the campus community. However, they also said antisemitism remains a problem in Arizona.
In partnership with the University, the Anti-Defamation League hosted the ADL Desert Region Conference on Antisemitism and Hate at the Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU.
Speakers at the event included Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, Tempe Vice Mayor Doreen Garlid and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.
During the conference, a small group of about five protesters stood outside the hotel waving Palestine and Lebanon flags.
In her speech, Hobbs urged further action in Arizona, noting recent cases of antisemitism at the Tucson Jewish Community Center and the UA Hillel.
"Here in Arizona, even though the number of incidents dropped in 2024 compared to 2023, it still remains far too high," Hobbs said.
The number of antisemitic incidents in Arizona decreased from 2023 to 2024, but the 2024 count remained more than double the number of incidents recorded in 2022, according to an ADL report.
The governor touted her work allocating funding for places of worship and nonprofits related to the Jewish community. She also referenced a bill she signed in 2025 to add criminal penalties under state law for building encampments on campuses, like those seen during pro-Palestine protests in 2024.
READ MORE: New Arizona law bans encampments on campuses
Garlid spoke on behalf of the Tempe mayor and City Council and said attendees should find inspiration at the conference to fight antisemitism.
"I'm grateful for the Anti-Defamation League for choosing Tempe to be here," Garlid said. "I'm excited to join with all of you in rising above hate together."
Gallego, the first Jewish woman to serve as mayor of Phoenix, delivered a keynote later in the day on the progress Arizona has made in fighting antisemitism.
She thanked ADL for supporting both the Phoenix community and herself. On the campaign trail, she was personally subjected to antisemitic attacks that the ADL helped her deal with, Gallego said.
"I hope none of you ever need to have ADL have your back," Gallego said. "But I can tell you, when you do need it, they are there."
Gallego commended Crow during her speech, as well.
"I also think we're very lucky to have leaders such as Dr. Michael Crow," Gallego said. "Where so many university presidents wavered, Dr. Crow was a fierce advocate against antisemitism in any form."
During a panel with the Crow regarding antisemitism on college campuses, ADL CEO and National Director Jonathan Greenblatt praised his "moral clarity."
"I think the reason why antisemitism has grown the way it has is because of a lack of leadership," Greenblatt said.
Crow said incomplete education and a poor memory of history were leading factors in the rise of antisemitism.
"The biggest force for antisemitism is unmitigated ignorance," Crow said.
Crow and Greenblatt also discussed the 2024 pro-Palestine encampment on the University's Tempe campus, where 72 people were arrested.
Greenblatt said the participants in the encampment were "a small group of very bad actors" who fostered extremism.
READ MORE: Protesters arrested at ASU encampment arrive for arraignment, ASU PD fails to submit charges
"What we said on the encampment was ... there's a time and a place and a location for you to share your concerns about whatever you want to share your concerns about," Crow said. "Encampments are not allowed. Hate speech is not allowed."
In a press conference after the event, Crow said the University listens to ADL's analysis to better achieve an environment where people feel safe.
Greenblatt said during the press conference that ADL measures its success at the University based on whether everyone feels supported.
"We stand with ASU in this regard, and we feel fortunate and humbled to have the opportunity to work with ASU, to show we've learned with ASU and help ASU be the best they can be," Greenblatt said. "ASU's success is our success."
Greenblatt said among the universities improving their approaches to antisemitism, "ASU is an example."
Crow praised both the University's A grade from ADL on campus antisemitism and its "green light" free speech rating from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
Crow also said the University has evolved in "sophisticated ways" in its acceptance of all groups, and its student body has experienced "maturation" that helps oppose antisemitism.
"You don't get along just as a random outcome," Crow said. "You get along because we've built a place where people feel safe."
Edited by Carsten Oyer, Henry Smardo, Sophia Braccio and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at swang496@asu.edu.
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