Tell your Rep: Support AB 2159
AB 2159 fixes serious problems in California law that could silence teachers, students, and Palestinian advocates. It corrects the IHRA antisemitism definition — which criminalizes criticism of Israeli government policy — removes a politically appointed school coordinator, and closes loopholes that expose educators to bad-faith discrimination complaints. Contact your Assembly member today using the form below.
⚠ AB 2159 is moving through the legislature now. Your message matters.
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For More Information about AB 2159 please click on the image to visit the website of The California Coalition to Defend Public Education
KNOW THE LAW
California AB 715 -the predecessor to AB2159
A Threat to Palestinian Voices in Our Schools
On October 7, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 715 into law, amending California's Education Code under the stated goal of addressing antisemitism in K–12 public schools. Despite that stated intent, the law has drawn widespread condemnation from civil rights organizations, teachers' unions, and free speech advocates — because its real-world effect is to chill honest classroom discussion of Palestinian history, the occupation, and the situation in Gaza.
The bill was fast-tracked through the legislature over a single Mother's Day weekend, bypassing normal public input processes. Its opponents — including the California Teachers Association, CAIR California, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), and multiple Jewish civil rights groups — argue it is not a civil rights law but a censorship law.
How AB 715 Harms Palestinian Students, Educators & Communities
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Classroom Censorship
The law empowers anyone to file an anonymous complaint against a teacher for presenting material deemed critical of Israel — including basic facts about the occupation, Palestinian displacement, or events in Gaza. Educators face investigation and discipline without clear standards.
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Erases Palestinian History
Teachers could be punished for presenting historical facts about Israel's founding and its impact on Palestinians, or for including Palestinian perspectives in curriculum. The law implicitly links criticism of Israeli government policy to antisemitism — conflating political critique with prejudice.
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Harms Students
Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students are left without safe space for their identity and experiences in the classroom. Civil rights groups warn the law codifies structural exclusion — endorsed by the State of California — that silences, erases, and marginalizes Palestinian students.
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No Definition
AB 715 never defines "antisemitism," yet directs schools to follow external materials — including the IHRA definition — which critics say conflates criticism of the Israeli government with hatred of Jewish people. This vagueness creates legal jeopardy for teachers and students alike.
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Sets a National Precedent
California frequently sets the legislative template for other states. If AB 715 is upheld, advocates warn it signals to legislatures across the country that similar censorship bills are constitutionally permissible. Wisconsin has already introduced comparable legislation.
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Self-Censoring Underway
Even before enforcement, teachers have reported self-censoring discussion of Palestine, Israel, and Gaza. The ADC's legal filings document educators altering lesson plans and avoiding topics out of fear — confirming that harm does not require active enforcement to be real.