Arizona Jewish Leaders and Elected Officials Condemn Antisemitism in the Campaign Season

The Community Statement

Arizona and Tucson Community Statement in Response to Anti-Jewish Hate During Election Cycle

This week in Tucson, the campaign signs of a Jewish, female, Latina candidate for public office were defaced in large red letters with the words ‘Zionist Bitch’. This is both antisemitic and misogynistic.

This incident did not happen in a vacuum. During the current election cycle, the word ‘Zionist’, the belief that Jews, like other peoples, have a right to self-determination, has been used as a repetitive slur against Jewish candidates.

This targeted rhetoric marks Jewish identity as outside the boundaries of civic belonging. To weaponize that identity against a public servant is antisemitic, misogynistic, and meant to intimidate. When this kind of rhetoric is normalized in local politics, it does not stay contained in campaign messaging or social media. It shows up on our streets.

As community leaders and elected officials in Arizona, we share a responsibility to speak out when rhetoric targets or marginalizes members of our community for their identity. Speaking out is not only about supporting one particular group or one particular candidate; it is about upholding the principle that all people should be able to participate in public life without being targeted because of who they are. Hatred and bigotry, in any form, deserve a clear and consistent response.

Tucson’s civic life is strongest when disagreement does not turn into dehumanization. In Tucson and across Arizona, we will not stand by when public servants and members of our community are attacked or intimidated for who they are.

As such, we as community leaders, candidates, elected officials, and advocacy organizations across Arizona stand with the Jewish community, condemn this defacement clearly, and reaffirm that Jews, women, and Latina public servants belong fully in our civic life.