Full Breakdown
Controversy Surrounds Melina Abdullah's Opposition to California's Antisemitism Bill
12/10/2025, 3:17:11 AM
Background on the Antisemitism Bill
California Assembly Bill 715, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2025, aims to combat antisemitism in K-12 public schools by establishing an Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator within the Office of Civil Rights. The bill is set to take effect in January 2026 and has sparked significant debate regarding its implications for educational content and activism.
Melina Abdullah's Critique
Melina Abdullah, a professor at California State University and co-founder of Black Lives Matter in Los Angeles, publicly criticized AB 715 during a class on Race, Activism, and Emotions. In a video posted to YouTube in September, Abdullah described the bill as "terrible" and suggested that it serves to silence pro-Palestinian activism and criminalize criticism of Israel. She asserted, “The kinds of people who are doing this, they are the antisemites. They could give a damn about antisemitism,” and accused the bill's proponents of not genuinely caring about Jewish people.
Abdullah encouraged her students to lobby Governor Newsom to veto the bill before it was signed into law, arguing that it was part of a broader effort to suppress dissent against Israel. She claimed that the bill was crafted by "two Zionists" backed by pro-Israel organizations, stating, “You’re supposed to not be working for Israel.”
Official Statements & Responses
Tammi Rossman-Benjamin, Director of AMCHA Initiative, a nonprofit focused on combating antisemitism, criticized Abdullah's actions, stating that her use of the classroom to mobilize students against the bill reflects a troubling trend among activist-educators. Rossman-Benjamin emphasized that such behavior contributes to a politicized educational environment that can endanger Jewish students.
California State University has reportedly been under investigation by the Trump administration for alleged antisemitism on campus, highlighting the contentious atmosphere surrounding Abdullah's remarks and the broader implications of the bill.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of Abdullah's stance argue that her comments perpetuate a narrative that undermines the seriousness of antisemitism and the need for protective measures in educational settings. They contend that her framing of the bill as a tool for silencing dissent could discourage necessary discussions about antisemitism and its impact on Jewish communities.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The kinds of people who are doing this, they are the antisemites. They could give a damn about antisemitism,” — Melina Abdullah, Professor at California State University
- “Professor Melina Abdullah’s use of her classroom to mobilize students against a modest bill to fight antisemitism in K-12 classrooms is not an isolated incident. It reflects a broader pattern in which activist-educators with direct influence over ethnic studies curricula throughout the state — including through their control of powerful faculty-union committees and national advocacy networks such as Black Lives Matter — are shaping instructional frameworks around highly politicized, exclusionary, and often overtly antisemitic doctrines that target Jewish students for harm,” — Tammi Rossman-Benjamin, Director of AMCHA Initiative
What's Next
As AB 715 prepares to take effect in January 2026, the ongoing debate surrounding its implications for educational content and activism is expected to continue. Abdullah's influence as an educator and activist may further shape discussions on antisemitism and related issues within California's educational framework.
