Threatens Free Speech, Academic Freedom, and Palestinian Rights in CA Schools

AB 715 would make it a violation of the ed code for teaching the truth about Palestine in K-12 classrooms. It conflates the definition of antisemitism with antizionism, meaning that almost all criticisms of Israel will be construed as antisemitic. It sets up an Office of Antisemitism Coordinator, whose job will be to police classrooms for alleged antisemitic statements. The same policing function will apply to outside speakers and teaching materials. Instead of figuring out ways for the topic of Palestine and Israel to be discussed rationally and thoughtfully in the classroom, it relies on censoring and silencing teachers. The impact will be that many teachers will be afraid to even bring up the topic of Israel and Gaza, so they will avoid it.

Read bill text here

Summary

AB 715 is a CA bill that seeks to redefine definitions of national origin and religion in a way that conflates criticism of state-level oppression with hate speech, effectively censoring critical thought and academic freedom. Despite opposition from civil rights groups, educators, and Arab/Muslim organizations, the bill skipped the usual democratic process. It was fast-tracked through the Assembly and is now advancing in the Senate.

Key Concerns:

• The procedural process of the bill broke the democratic process and was rushed through the Assembly without meaningful public input, effectively silencing and ignoring community concerns.
• Suppresses Free Speech by punishing educators for teaching about Palestinian rights or Israeli policies.
• Adopts a controversial and flawed definition of “national origin” and “religion” that opens room for attacks on academic freedom (for example, labeling the Scarlet Letter as ‘anti-Christian’)
• Ignores Anti-Palestinian Racism and fails to provide remedies to address discrimination against Palestinian/Arab students, among many other students of ethnic backgrounds.

Background & Legislative Status

Origin: Replaced the failed AB 1468.

• Assembly Vote: Passed unanimously (9-0) in the Education Committee (May 2024) despite vocal opposition during the committee hearing.
• Current Status: Now in the California Senate (next stop: Senate Judiciary and Education Committees).

Why AB 715 Is Dangerous?

1. Weaponizes Antisemitism to Silence Criticism of Israel

Follows a Definition of Antisemitism that is purposefully designed to censor Palestinian advocacy, which has been used globally to censor Palestinian voices. Could punish teachers for discussing Israel’s human rights violations (e.g., Gaza, settlements, apartheid allegations).

2. Opens Door to Doxxing & Punishment of Educators

Expands Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) to target teachers for “antisemitic” lessons. There are career repercussions for teachers who criticize countries such as China, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, among other countries that have a history of social oppression. There are career repercussions for educators who teach about Palestine.

3. Establishes a State Antisemitism Czar (Unprecedented & Unequal)

Creates a state antisemitism coordinator—no similar role exists for Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, or other forms of bigotry.

4. Ignores Anti-Palestinian & Anti-Arab Racism

The bill claims to address “Islamophobia” but excludes Palestinian students from protection. Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism are not the same. The bill was developed without consulting Arab, Muslim, or Palestinian organizations, which leads to mistakes in identifying which groups are significantly impacted.