California bill aims to combat antisemitism in schools

A California bill aims to address antisemitism and discrimination in public schools statewide by prohibiting learning material, such as textbooks and instructional materials, that would “subject a pupil to unlawful discrimination.”

The bill, AB 715, was introduced by Assemblymembers Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles) and Dawn Addis (D-San Luis Obispo). It would also establish an Office of the Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator, which would reside under the State Board of Education. 

The proposed legislation comes as California deals with increased rates of antisemitism.  

An audit of antisemitic incidents in 2024 found that California was one of the states with the highest number of recorded incidents at 1,344. New York had 1,437. Both states have large Jewish populations, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

Still, California has taken steps to prevent antisemitism, according to another study by ADI, which revealed that the Golden State leads in fighting antisemitism.

UCLA is currently in a legal battle with the Trump administration over claims that the university “failed to address antisemitic incidents on its campus in the wake of the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel or the pro-Palestinian protests that took place on campus about six months later.”

Lawmakers in Sacramento are still considering the bill, which is now in the Senate.

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