World

Some 3,000 Californians called for vetoing ‘anti-Semitic’ ethnic studies bill

September 28, 2021
Bharat Times English News

Some 3,000 Californians signed a petition calling on the governor on Monday Gavin Newsom To veto a bill adding ethnic studies to the high school curriculum.
Bill titled AB 101, cleaning both houses Before the California State Legislature in September. AB 101 is set to become a requirement for graduation in California.

The liberal California Legislative Assembly Jewish Caucus criticized the original model of the curriculum, introduced in 2019, saying it carries “anti-Jewish bias”.

Following the response received by Californian Jews, a revised version of the bill that included two texts on Jews in California was approved by the state education board in March

AB 101 was drafted by The Liberated Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum Institute (LESMC), which claims Israel participates in “settler colonialism” and “apartheid”. The site also encourages teachers and students to “fight against the Zionist backlash.”

About 2,500 BDS demonstrators are seen arriving at the Port of Oakland, Calif., to stop a cargo ship operated by the Israel-based ZIM company, in protest against Operation Protective Edge, on August 16, 2014. (credit: Wikimedia Commons)About 2,500 BDS demonstrators are seen arriving at the Port of Oakland, Calif., to stop a cargo ship operated by the Israel-based ZIM company, in protest against Operation Protective Edge, on August 16, 2014. (credit: Wikimedia Commons)

“The free curriculum contains openly anti-Semitic and anti-Semitic lessons and explicitly promotes students’ participation to harm Israel, particularly the BDS,” the petitioners wrote.

“The Jewish community is not able to challenge such an anti-Semitic curriculum in every one of the hundreds of school districts where it would be considered.”

“It is a moral disgrace that Jewish parents expect their children to fight against anti-Semitism being taught in a state-mandated curriculum,” he said.

The petition opposing the bill was organized by the Amcha Initiative, an NPO dedicated to combating anti-semitic ideology in colleges and universities in America. Following the California State Legislature’s vote to advance AB 101, the bill now sits on Governor Newsom’s desk, who has until October 10 to approve or veto the bill.