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Since 2021, PeerK12 has been on the front lines protecting K–12 education from Jew-hatred and extremist agendas. With expertise in ethnic studies, school district politics, and Jewish Civil Rights advocacy —we are unapologetic in our work to expose and remove antisemitism in elementary, middle, and high schools at the root. for & Partners Equality Educational Responsibility dedicated to unapologetically fighting institutionalized Jew-hatred in K-12 education Founded in 2021, PeerK12 is a grassroots movement operating on the front lines inside school districts by defending Jewish civil rights, fighting extremist agendas, and protecting merit-based education in America’s K-12 institutions. 01. We hold school districts accountable, educate voters and candidates, advocate for policy reform, and build powerful coalitions with like-minded allies. 02. Our expertise includes handling and resolving antisemitic incidents in K-12, ethnic studies , school district politics, and Jewish Civil Rights advocacy. 03. We fight for integrity, merit-based equality, and truth in every classroom, and we won’t back down until every student’s civil rights are protected. empowering voices We don’t just raise awareness; we deliver results. We're parents ourselves - so we know what it's like to try and navigate the K-12 system and the frustrations of having your concerns trivialized or even ignored. The system is complicated, confusing, and cumbersome. Purposefully so. But we're here to help. Our case-by-case, customized advocacy strategies empower parents, students, teachers, and communities to identify and address Jew-hatred and injustice in K-12 schools with urgency, precision, and lasting results. By working directly with impacted parents, affected students and teachers, and concerned community leaders we help shape or reshape the policies and laws that ensure long term protection against anti-Jewish, anti-Zionist, anti-Israel, and anti-American bias and hate. DRIVING CHANGE Unapologetically fighting for our Jewish Civil Rights in K-12. We are the bridge that connects K-12 policy makers, administrators, and elected officials with their constituents. Our activities range from passing resolutions at school boards and building relationships with candidates and incumbents, to responding to antisemitic incidents in schools, and organizing workshops that train parents and students on how to advocate for the protection of their Jewish civil rights in the K-12 ecosystem. Everything we do provides immediate support for the victims while at the same time delivering positive and long lasting change by preventing or eliminating future recurrences. Through targeted advocacy, coalition building, and hands-on mobilization activities, we create impactful solutions. ACCOUNTABILITY While some stay silent, we step up & demand accountability. When Jew-hatred and intolerance go unchallenged, PeerK12 steps in as a proactive and relentless force for accountability and change. Some may find our proactive approach aggressive - we call it bold, proud, and unapologetic - because we believe that standing up for your own civil rights is always the right approach. Mobilizing communities, engaging policymakers, and ensuring that no student or family ever feels alone is our commitment in the fight for the protection of Jewish Civil Rights in K-12 environments. advocacy & mobilization Our grassroots reach has enabled us to help parents, students, and teachers across the country. We’ve been on the front lines since 2021, helping parents nationwide navigate every challenge in their school districts. Whatever you’re facing, we’ve seen it—and we know exactly what works (and what doesn't) . L et us fast-track you past the trial-and-error frustrations straight to our proven strategies that get results. You don’t have to go at it alone—we’re in this together. Join our Movement

Report antisemitic incidents in your school to help make sure that administrators and decision makers know what's happening under their watch. It's the only way to ensure they're held accountable. TRACKING INCIDENTS IS THE FIRST STEP TO ENSURING they NEVER HAPPEn AGAIN Incident Tracking: PeerK12 in Collaboration with StopHateInSchools.org The only way we can keep the decision makers and administrators accountable for ensuring antisemitism and Jew-hatred are kept OUT of K-12 is to have accurate data and information about the incidents happening under their watch. Please submit an incident report - even if you think what happened "wasn't that big of a deal" - all incidents show the patterns of institutionalized and normalized Jew-hatred. 100% confidentiality guaranteed Antisemitism and anti-Jewish bias are widespread in schools. And that's hurting our students. Be part of the solution. Join the many parents, educators and community leaders standing up to hate and discrimination. View Incidents by State

You don’t need permission to protect your community. You need documentation, coordination and the willingness to act before Election Day. < Back Reading the political tea leaves and acting against dangerous candidates You don’t need permission to protect your community. You need documentation, coordination and the willingness to act before Election Day. We have spent years documenting the systematic infiltration of anti-Israel activists into state and local government. We’ve published an analysis of the pipeline that moves candidates from campus chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine to city councils and state legislatures. We’ve built the Mamdani Index to track and score officials nationwide. We have warned that while traditional pro-Israel organizations focus on Congress, a parallel political infrastructure is being constructed beneath them—one school board, one city council, one state legislature seat at a time. This article is the field guide. Whether you’ve noticed something concerning about a candidate in your community, identified a troubling score on the Mamdani Index or simply want to understand what warning signs to watch for, this guide explains how to recognize these candidates, what tactics they use, and, most importantly, what you can do to stop them before Election Day. Perhaps you’ve already raised concerns with local Jewish organizations, and they’ve told you not to worry, that you’re overreacting, that the candidate has moderated, that engaging would be divisive. Do not listen to them. These organizations do not have the experience or expertise to operate in advocacy, plus they are organized as 501(c)(3) organizations that are prohibited from engaging in electioneering. That exact pattern, concerned community members raising alarms, establishment organizations dismissing them and problematic candidates winning as a result, has repeated across the country. In 2022, it happened in West Hollywood, Calif., with Chelsea Byers. In 2025, it happened in New York City with Zohran Mamdani. In both cases, the warning signs were visible. In both cases, the candidates won. If you’re reading this because you suspect a Mamdani-type candidate is emerging in your community, trust your instincts. These candidates deny, minimize and reframe. Organizing boycott, divestment and sanctions campaigns becomes “advocating for human rights.” Leading anti-Israel protests become “standing up for free speech.” The language shifts; the record remains. Do not accept reframing at face value. If a candidate claims they were merely supporting “free speech” or “human rights,” ask them directly: Do you support Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state? Have you ever participated in chants calling for Israel’s elimination? What is your position on BDS? Document their answers. Many of these candidates are genuinely likable. They present extreme positions calmly and reasonably. They use humor to deflect criticism. They emphasize identity markers like LGBTQ+ status, immigrant background and youth that make attacks feel uncomfortable. Mamdani’s campaign included a rap video and regular displays of wit. When confronted about “Globalize the intifada,” he didn’t become defensive; he softly reframed it while appearing reasonable, making his critics seem shrill by comparison. Do not let personal charm distract from documented positions. Evaluate candidates on their organizational affiliations and public statements, not their campaign persona. These candidates build broad progressive coalitions that lend legitimacy without scrutinizing their Israel-related positions since those positions are most often unrelated. Union endorsements, environmental groups, LGBTQ+ organizations and housing advocates lend credibility while steering attention toward domestic issues. Mamdani’s mayoral campaign benefited from DSA infrastructure, Palestinian American activist Linda Sarsour’s fundraising and even international support from Jeremy Corbyn, former leader of the British Labour Party, despite his documented antisemitism controversies. The coalition provides cover, but the toxic ideology remains. ‘This is a losing trade’ Perhaps the most effective shield is endorsement or defense from Jewish organizations themselves. Mamdani-type candidates actively cultivate relationships with progressive Jewish groups and individual Jewish leaders who can vouch for them when concerns arise. When Chelsea Byers faced scrutiny during her 2022 West Hollywood campaign, a letter signed by leaders from Democrats for Israel chapters, Progressive Zionists of California, the California Young Democrats Jewish Caucus and other Jewish organizations declared that she “is not antisemitic” and that “her views have evolved.” The letter urged voters to focus on local issues, arguing that “this race should be about West Hollywood, not the West Bank.” This is the playbook. Jewish organizational cover allows candidates to dismiss criticism as bad-faith attacks while pointing to Jewish endorsers as evidence of their moderation. The signatories may be well-meaning, but their intervention provides exactly the legitimacy these candidates need to neutralize opposition. When evaluating such endorsements, consider whether the endorsers actually reviewed the candidate’s full record or simply accepted their current self-presentation. Ask whether they have the political experience and ongoing leverage to hold the candidate accountable after the election, or whether they are primarily focused on social services, interfaith work or other communal priorities that leave them poorly equipped to vet political candidates. Jewish cover is the most valuable currency a Mamdani-type candidate can acquire. Once obtained, it becomes extremely difficult to raise concerns without appearing to attack the Jewish community itself. Here is the difficult truth: Legacy Jewish organizations will often tell you not to engage. They will insist that the concern is exaggerated. They will warn that raising the issue publicly will be divisive or counterproductive. They will counsel patience and quiet diplomacy. This approach has failed repeatedly. In 2022, when community members raised concerns about Byers in West Hollywood, several establishment figures insisted she was harmless. Some attacked those who raised alarms as divisive. The result: Byers won by 54 votes. Understanding why these organizations fail requires recognizing what they are and what they are not. Most local Jewish community infrastructure, such as Federations, Jewish Community Relations Councils and regional offices of the Anti-Defamation League, exists primarily to provide social services, facilitate interfaith dialogue and respond to incidents of Jew-hatred after they occur. They’re not built for political engagement. They lack the expertise, appetite, and, often, legal structure to intervene in electoral campaigns. When a Mamdani-type candidate emerges, these organizations default to their institutional comfort zone: convening conversations, issuing measured statements and hoping the problem resolves itself. Direct political confrontation is outside their operational DNA. Many mainstream Jewish organizations are led by professionals and board members who identify strongly with progressive movements. They see Jewish communal priorities, social justice, immigrant rights and LGBTQ+ inclusion as naturally aligned with the broader progressive coalition. This creates a structural blind spot. When a candidate emerges from progressive networks with troubling positions related to Israel, organizational leaders may view criticism as an attack on the coalition, rather than a defense of Jewish interests. They may choose to prioritize maintaining relationships with progressive allies over confronting a candidate who threatens the Jewish community specifically. The result is rationalization: the candidate’s views are “evolving,” the concerns are “exaggerated,” and engaging would be “divisive.” These organizations choose coalition comfort over communal protection. Some Jewish organizations believe that building relationships with problematic candidates will moderate their behavior once in office. They offer endorsements or refrain from criticism in exchange for promised “dialogue” or “access.” This is a losing trade. Mamdani-type candidates benefit from Jewish organizational cover during the campaign—the one moment when they are vulnerable—and face no accountability for policy development and implementation afterward. ‘Do not be silent’ Before raising public concerns, build a comprehensive record. Archive social-media posts, especially anything that may be deleted as a campaign approaches. Collect student newspaper articles, organizational newsletters and event announcements from the candidate’s campus years. Obtain disclosure forms via public records requests and cross-reference them against public statements. Screenshot LinkedIn profiles, organizational bios and conference speaker listings. Record public statements at candidate forums and community events. Documentation transforms suspicion into evidence. Without it, concerns are easily dismissed. The window for effective intervention is narrow. By the time concerns reach mainstream awareness, early voting may have begun. Raise issues publicly as soon as a candidate announces, not during the final weeks of a campaign. If a candidate lies about their history, say so with evidence. If they deny affiliations that appear on disclosure forms, publish the discrepancy. If institutions provide cover, name them and explain why their assurances should not be trusted. Silence creates the false impression that there is nothing to be concerned about. Do not be silent. Mamdani-type candidates do not rise alone. They benefit from endorsements, appointments and political cover provided by other officials. These enablers must face consequences for their role in advancing anti-Israel candidates. When a sitting official endorses a Mamdani-type candidate, they are lending their credibility to legitimize that candidate’s record. Track these endorsements. Make clear that endorsing candidates with anti-Israel, antisemitic backgrounds will be remembered and will affect future support, donations and endorsements in their own races. Silence is also a choice. When a Mamdani-type candidate emerges and elected officials who should know better refuse to speak up, they are prioritizing their own political comfort over their community’s well-being. Document which officials remained silent when it mattered. Their silence should be a factor in future electoral support. Some officials will acknowledge a candidate’s troubling background but urge voters to overlook it, arguing that the candidate has “evolved,” that the concerns are “overblown,” or that other issues are more important. This minimization is as damaging as outright endorsement. It provides cover while maintaining plausible deniability. The goal is to create a political cost for enabling Mamdani-type candidates. If officials know that endorsing, appointing, excusing, or staying silent about anti-Israel candidates will affect their own standing with pro-Israel voters and donors, they will calculate differently. Accountability must extend beyond the candidates themselves to the network that elevates them. If you are reading this article, you likely already suspect that something is wrong. A candidate in your community has a troubling background. You’ve raised concerns and been told to stand down. You’re uncertain whether to trust your instincts or defer to organizations with more experience and resources. Trust your instincts. The tactics documented here are not theoretical. They have succeeded in communities across the country. They succeed because concerned individuals are talked out of acting by institutions that prioritize comfort over confrontation. You do not need permission from legacy organizations to protect your community. You need documentation, coordination and the willingness to act before Election Day, not after. The warning signs are visible. The tactics are documented. The counter-strategies are clear. The next election is mere months away. The question is whether our communities will be ready. Previous Next

With fake news, artificial intelligence, tiktok, social media bots, and U.S.-based higher education capitulations to terrorist regime messaging, brainwashing and propaganda - it’s even more important than ever to embrace the so-called #teachthetruth  movement and ACTUALLY teach the truth.  If you’ve ever wished you could counter bizarre accusations but felt hesitant to do so because you weren’t sure how to respond to each one with verified factual evidence, then you’ve come to the right place.  In this piece, I’ll tackle the main pro-Hamas talking points and give you fact based information to use in those conversations. This analysis is grounded in documented history, diplomatic records, and the long-standing Israeli strategic efforts to achieve peace through territorial compromise, in contrast with persistent Palestinian Arab rejectionism and the incentivization of violence. Feel free to submit additional questions on pieces of propaganda that aren’t covered below, and I’ll release a version 2 with those additional tough topics so you can add them to your arsenal to have ready for any conversation that comes your way on this topic. Let’s get started. 1. Historical Context and Narratives Palestinian Misinformation:   (Arabs) Palestinians present themselves as an indigenous people forcibly displaced and oppressed, framing their national movement as one of legitimate resistance to “white settler colonialism”. Historically Accurate Rebuttal: From a historical perspective - verified not only in Biblical texts, but also indisputable archeological proof , and carbon dates artifacts - Jews are an indigenous Middle Eastern people with continuous ties to the Land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael) for over three millennia, predating Arab conquest and colonization of the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) by well over a thousand years.  Modern Zionism is not a colonial project but rather a national liberation movement that re-emerged into the consciousness of the Jewish people exiled in Europe and experiencing endless antisemitism due to centuries of Jewish statelessness.  After World War I, the international community, including the League of Nations, recognized the Jewish historical connection to the land. Israel’s establishment in 1948 was supported by a UN partition resolution that the Jewish community accepted. It was the Arab states who rejected partition, choosing instead to launch a war to destroy the fledgling Jewish state.  This foundational rejection - the desire for a “judenfrei” Middle East - and not Israeli action  - is at the root of the ongoing conflict. 2. Framing the Conflict Palestinian Misinformation:   The conflict is solely about Israel’s occupation, settlements, and denial of Palestinian rights. The messaging suggests that once the occupation ends, peace and justice will prevail. Historically Accurate Rebuttal: The Arab-Israeli conflict predates the 1967 Six-Day War and the subsequent occupation of any disputed territories. Major violence and rejection of Jewish self-determination occurred well before Israel controlled the West Bank and Gaza Strip.  Key events—such as the Arab riots of 1920, 1929, and 1936, and the Arab rejection of the 1947 UN Partition Plan—occurred long before Israel was even a sovereign nation.  Additionally, Israel has repeatedly offered territorial compromises (“land for peace”)—notably in 2000 at Camp David, in 2001 at Taba, and in 2008 under the Olmert plan—only to be met with Palestinian rejections.  The problem is not merely Israel’s presence (Jews in the Middle East) in these territories, but the persistent refusal by Arabs (Palestinians) and their leaders to accept the idea of Jews, a Jewish state - or any Jewish self determination of any kind  - in any part of the land that had previously been conquered during one of the ancient Caliphates. In fact, the very idea that there are Jews and "infidels" (Christians, Druze, Bahai, Yazidi's, etc.) who are NOT subjugated as Dhimmi's, paying Jizya taxes, or oppressed under Sharia Law is rejected altogether - it has nothing to do with border lines or territory - but rather with a wholesale rejection that non-Muslims be allowed to live freely without being "unalived". 3. Victimhood and Responsibility Palestinian Misinformation:   The Arab (Palestinian) people are portrayed solely as victims of Israeli aggression and oppression, without agency or responsibility for the cycle of violence. Historically Accurate Rebuttal: While Arabs (Palestinians) have experienced hardships, it is historically inaccurate to deny their leadership’s role in prolonging the conflict.  Arab (Palestinian) leaders, from Haj Amin al-Husseini in the 1930s-40s - an enthusiastic Nazi supporter and personal friend of Adolf Hitler - to Yasser Arafat and Hamas’s current leadership, repeatedly chose rejection, incitement, and violence over meaningful compromise.  During critical junctures, the Arab (Palestinian) leadership walked away from substantial Israeli peace offers. The moral agency to choose peace or violence lies with all parties, and Arab (Palestinian) leadership has too often chosen confrontation, supported by a political culture that glorifies “martyrs” who kill Jewish civilians. Thus, Arab (Palestinian)s are not passive victims; their leadership’s decisions have profoundly shaped the conflict’s trajectory. 4. Peace vs. Violence Palestinian Misinformation:   Arab (Palestinian) “resistance” is portrayed as a legitimate struggle akin to other national liberation movements, overlooking the moral and legal implications of attacking civilians. Historically Accurate Rebuttal: While national aspirations are legitimate, targeting civilians with terror attacks cannot be morally justified nor equated with resistance. There is a moral line between legitimate political struggle and the deliberate murder of innocents. Israel, throughout its history, has generally sought negotiation and compromise, culminating in peace treaties with Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994). By contrast, Arab (Palestinian) terrorist groups (Fatah factions in earlier decades, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and others) have repeatedly resorted to violence against noncombatants. The enduring “pay-to-slay” program—where the Palestinian Authority provides financial rewards to families of terrorists—encourages violence rather than fostering a climate conducive to peace negotiations. This is antithetical to genuine liberation struggles that strive to uphold human rights norms. 5. The “Land for Peace” Paradigm vs. “Pay to Slay” Palestinian Misinformation:   Israeli demands and negotiations are framed as disingenuous and never enough, reducing Israeli offers of withdrawal as mere ploys while ignoring the Palestinian Authority’s own actions on the ground. Historically Accurate Rebuttal: Israel’s “land for peace” approach is historically evidenced by returning the entire Sinai Peninsula to Egypt, relinquishing territory to Jordan, and the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. These steps were taken in hopes of peace, not further conflict. The Palestinian Authority and other factions have responded to such moves not by embracing peace but by allowing rocket fire, incitement in school textbooks, and continued financial support for convicted terrorists. The “pay-to-slay” policy, where monthly stipends incentivize attacks on Israeli civilians, undercuts any message of peaceful intent. This stands in stark contrast to Israeli attempts to negotiate final borders and security arrangements that would allow both peoples to coexist peacefully. 6. International Law & Legitimacy Palestinian Misinformation:   The Arab (Palestinian) narrative often presents themselves as the underdog championed by international law, accusing Israel of continuous violation and delegitimization efforts. Historically Accurate Rebuttal: The complexity of international law surrounding this conflict cannot be reduced to simplistic slogans. Multiple UN resolutions, from 1947’s Partition Plan (UNGA 181) to UNSC 242, acknowledge Jewish rights and envision a negotiated settlement. Israel’s presence in the territories since 1967 arose from a defensive war against Arab aggressors; international law recognizes the need for negotiations to determine final borders. Israel has consistently sought a negotiated two-state solution that would secure the rights and security of both peoples. Yet the Arab (Palestinian) leadership’s emphasis on unilateral measures and refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state contradicts the letter and spirit of these resolutions and international frameworks. True international legitimacy would come from mutual recognition, not perpetuating myths that frame one side’s mere existence as illegitimate. 7. Human Rights and Civic Freedoms Palestinian Misinformation:  Arabs (Palestinians) frame their narrative as a freedom struggle for basic human rights, glossing over the internal suppression within Arab (Palestinian) society and the aggressive rhetoric directed at Jews. Historically Accurate Rebuttal: While every population deserves human rights, the Arab (Palestinian) leadership’s track record—both in the West Bank and Gaza—has frequently undermined the freedoms of its own people. Critics of the Palestinian Authority or Hamas face harassment, imprisonment, or worse. The educational system is often steeped in hateful indoctrination and antisemitic tropes, not merely anti-Israel political rhetoric. The refusal to acknowledge Jewish historical ties and rights ensures that human rights discourse is one-sided. Without addressing the culture of incitement and the “pay-to-slay” system, claims of pure human rights advocacy ring hollow. 8. Pathways to Peaceful Coexistence Palestinian Misinformation:   Arab (Palestinian) messaging documents typically seek to inspire a global solidarity narrative that applies pressure solely on Israel, assuming that such pressure will lead to peace. Historically Accurate Rebuttal: True peace can only emerge from bilateral negotiation and a mutual willingness to compromise. Israel has demonstrated willingness for territorial concessions, security arrangements, and economic cooperation. Yet lasting peace requires a fundamental change in Arab (Palestinian) political culture—shifting away from glorifying violence, abandoning the “pay-to-slay” stipends, and openly preparing their public for the reality of coexistence with a Jewish state. Encouraging the international community to put one-sided pressure on Israel while ignoring Arab (Palestinian) incitement, refusal to negotiate sincerely, and rejection of Jewish statehood cannot yield a just and sustainable resolution. Conclusion: From an Israeli historian’s perspective, the Arab (Palestinian) messaging playbook omits critical historical facts and present-day realities. Instead of focusing on selective victimhood narratives, authentic peacemaking requires acknowledging Jewish historical ties, recognizing past Arab (Palestinian) leadership choices that prolonged the conflict, repudiating the policy of paying terrorists and their families, and embracing a stance of mutual recognition. Only then can both peoples move toward a genuine, negotiated peace. RESOURCES: U.S. Congressional Bills  The Taylor Force Act | Original Senate Bill (Introduced Version): S.1697 - Taylor Force Act (115th Congress, 2017-2018):   Introduced in the Senate, this bill sought to restrict U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority until it took steps to end the “pay-to-slay” program. Final Legislation (Enacted): Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (H.R.1625, 115th Congress)   The Taylor Force Act was incorporated into this omnibus spending bill and signed into law on March 23, 2018.For direct text, see Division S, Title X of the enrolled bill (available as a PDF under “Text” tab). Official GPO PDF of the Enrolled Bill :   The Taylor Force Act provisions begin on or around page 245. House Legislation Specifically Targeting PA “Pay-to-Slay” Terrorist Payments: H.R.1164 - Taylor Force Act (House Version, 115th Congress, 2017-2018)   House-introduced companion legislation also aimed at withholding assistance if the Palestinian Authority continues payments to convicted terrorists. U.S. Congressional Resolutions Condemning Palestinian Terrorism Against Israeli Civilians ( Congress.gov ) H. Res. 354 (115th Congress, 2017) : “Condemning the terrorist attacks in Jerusalem and expressing support for Israel’s right to defend its citizens.” H. Res. 1093 (116th Congress, 2020) : “Condemning Hamas’ terror attacks against Israel.” S. Res. 302 (117th Congress, 2021) : “A resolution condemning the rocket attacks on Israel by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.” Congressional Resolution Condemning PA’s “Pay-to-Slay” Program H.Res.513 (116th Congress, 2019): “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Palestinian Authority’s practice of paying the families of terrorists is an obstacle to peace.” https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/513   This resolution explicitly calls out the Palestinian Authority’s practice of financially rewarding terrorists, demonstrating Congressional recognition and condemnation of the “pay-to-slay” scheme. U.S. State Department U.S. State Department Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) List: Hamas  and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)  are officially designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the U.S. Department of State. https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/   Country Reports on Terrorism: These reports consistently reference Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad as perpetrators of terrorism. https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2020/ (See sections on Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.) White House Statements White House (Archive) - Condemning Hamas Violence (2018): During escalations, the White House issued statements explicitly condemning Hamas -led attacks against Israeli civilians. TheHill.com U.S. Condemnation of Palestinian Attacks (2016): Coverage of U.S. officials condemning Palestinian terrorist attacks in Jerusalem. Politico U.S. Condemnation of Hamas Rocket Attacks (2014): Politico’s reporting on the Obama administration condemning Palestinian rocket attacks and affirming Israel’s right to self-defense.

Is the San Dieguito Union High School District (SDUHSD) System Officially Broken? September 21, 2025 When Jewish parents in the San Dieguito Union High School District (SDUHSD) asked Torrey Pines High School (TPHS) Principal three simple safety questions after the Human Swastika  incident at San Dieguito Academy, the answer they received was disappointing and surprising, considering how easily it could have been avoided. Below, PeerK12 will analyze the shocking discrepancies in those statements and provide a point-by-point breakdown of what these Jewish parents asked, how the principal responded, what SDUHSD policy actually requires, and why the district handled it so badly (AGAIN). The ensuing contrast and contradictions make one thing painfully clear: SDUHSD   principals are not equipped -- or are simply unwilling? -- to follow their own district policies when hate incidents target their Jewish students. The Superintendent’s email notifying the entire District regarding the recent antisemitic hate crime incident at San Dieguito Academy HS (Thursday September 18, 2025 5:00 pm PT) An excerpt: Last May, a group of students created the image of a swastika in a human formation on the athletic field. This image was seen** and captured by a fellow student, who is Jewish, while flying a plane overhead at the time. Deeply and understandably alarmed by the image, the student’s family reported the incident to the San Dieguito Academy administration. However, and unfortunately, the incident was not brought to the attention of the San Dieguito Union High School District administrators until late last month. I share this point not to deflect responsibility but to clarify that there was a clear and unacceptable breakdown in communication between the school and the District. Once I became aware of the image, we took action to work with the families of the students involved and immediately launched an investigation, which is still ongoing. Additionally, we have reviewed and amplified our efforts to remind all students and staff that hate in any form will not be tolerated on our campuses. **PEERK12 FACT CHECK ** The human swastika formation was done as a targeted act . The Jewish student didn't just happen to be flying overhead - the other students knew a Jewish student would be flying overhead, and that is why they formed the human swastika. Our Call to Action In PeerK12’s update about this incident that same Thursday afternoon , we urged parents to reach out to their own principals to ensure that proper protocols were in place at their own school in the event that a similar incident were to occur. Jewish parents wasted NO TIME in reaching out to their school principals with our recommended questions. The responses started to be forwarded to us within 24 hours from high schools across the country, but one in particular stood out to us because it came from a school within the same District where the human swastika incident occurred. Here is what we learned... Torrey Pines High School Case Study Torrey Pines is the high school in the SDUHSD that is not only the largest in terms of student body numbers, but it is also the one with the most Jewish students in this School District. We had hoped the response from the Principal would reflect not only this high concentration of Jewish students at TPHS - but also the sensitive nature of this issue as it shares the same school board, Superintendent, and District protocols as San Dieguito Academy, where the human swastika incident occurred. Below is a sample email (with names redacted) from those Jewish parents, as well as the "cut and pasted" response from the Torrey Pines principal (confirmed as such by each parent we spoke to who had received the exact same cut/paste response from this principal): Hi Principal Coppo, Our son/daughter, [NAME REDACTED], is a [REDACTED] grader at Torrey Pines. Could you please let me know what the Torrey Pines policy is if an antisemitic hate crime occurs on the TPHS campus? What is the protocol and required steps and timelines for notifications? What should Jewish parents expect if (when??) something similar happens to our kids at Torrey? Thank you, [NAME REDACTED] A Play by Play Breakdown of the Response & Why We Are Concerned PARENT QUESTION #1: "What is the Torrey Pines High School policy if an antisemitic hate crime occurs on campus?" Principal's Response "Our TP Pledge was developed specifically to help our students feel more valued and respected. We are also a proud No Place for Hate school, and we have a diverse group of heritage clubs on campus that participate in activities on campus regularly.... The more students learn about each other, the more connected they feel, and the more likely they are to protect each other. Our students and staff feel safe on campus because we are a connected Falcon family." Actual District Policy Board Policies 5131.2; 5145.3, 5145.7 on Discrimination, Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying BP 5145.3 Nondiscrimination/Harassment P rohibits discrimination and harassment, including based on religion/Judaism, and requires prompt intervention, investigation, support, and corrective/ disciplinary action when warranted. BP 5145.9 Hate-Motivated Behavior District must publish rules prohibiting hate-motivated behavior and the procedures for reporting and response, and post them prominently for students, staff, and parents. PEERK12 ANALYSIS Clubs and slogans do not constitute a safety plan. Serving up that gobbledygook the day after a major antisemitic incident and subsequent epic  reporting failure by the district makes it seem like this principal is purposefully dodging a direct safety question.  What we can’t figure out is why ? This district actually does have clear policies on discrimination - so pretending otherwise signals either an outright refusal of transparency, or complete ignorance about them. Either way it’s unacceptable when students (including the Jewish ones) are at risk. PARENT QUESTION #2: “What is the protocol and required steps and timelines for notifications?” Principal's Response "While I can’t talk about a specific protocol for hate speech and hate crimes...." Actual District Policy BP 5145.9 Hate-Motivated Behavior R ep orting procedures must be provided to families; the district designates compliance officers and directs staff to intervene immediately when safe. BP 1312.3 Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) C reate s formal investigation timelines, required notices, and appeal rights to the California Department of Education. Early resolution is encouraged, but families are guaranteed a formal path with deadlines and due-process protections. Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP)   Dr. Evelyn Medina, San Dieguito UHSD Director of Community Resolution and Compliance Prescilla Sanchez, San Dieguito UHSD Executive Director of Student Services WeTip Anonymous SDUHSD Reporting System PEERK12 ANALYSIS Parents need a clear, immediate way to report. But when asked this very specific question, the Principal made no attempt to share the general district process for complaints - he offered no helpful links , no steps to take , no timelines to expect , no who-does-what to clarify, no how-to-report - nothing. Once again, we were left scratching our heads at the lack of transparency and information given by the principal, considering SDUHSD actually outlines all of these protocols on the district website. There is even a dedicated full time staffer who handles all district incidents (including the antisemitic ones). This is a role that SDUHSD Board Trustee Michael Allman was insistent on having when PeerK12 worked with him on writing and passing the Resolution Addressing Antisemitism and Affirming the Value of Jewish Students, Faculty, Staff, and Families in November 2021, because he understood that students and families needed a trusted person to turn to for these very complaints. Additional resources available to students and parents include: Director of Community Resolution and Compliance (Dr. Evelyn Medina) Assurance of Nondiscrimination Policy Title IX/Title VI/Section 504  and compliance resources WeTip Anonymous SDUHSD Reporting System Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP)   These resources do a pretty good job spelling out the process, timelines, and rights in plain, easy to understand English (and several other languages as well) . So it’s baffling why no one thought with a big announcement from the Superintendent hitting the inbox of every district parent, that it might be a good idea to collect, organize, and queue them up (like we did here) - just in case. When silence - or a total lack of knowledge - about protocols coincides with the district’s own admission of gross negligence in mishandling an antisemitic hate crime, parental trust in the district isn’t merely damaged -  it’s lost. PARENT QUESTION #3: "What should Jewish parents expect if (when?) something similar happens to our kids at Torrey?” Principal's Response "...Each case is unique so there is no “one size fits all” approach, but we do have protocols for investigation, accountability and student support. As a large, comprehensive high school, we are not immune to issues like this, so please know that my administration team is adept at responding ." Actual District Policy Assurance of Nondiscrimination  -  s ta ff must  intervene immediately [when it is safe to do so]. BP 5145.9 Hate-Motivated Behavior (Remedy) R eq uires counseling/guidance/support for victims, support for students who engaged in the behavior, age-appropriate education, and climate measures to prevent recurrence. District Resources Provided to Students and Parents: Compliance, school safety, and community reporting Mandatory Notifications Rights & Protections D istrict WeTip  reporting link Student Services and Student Support Social Emotional Resources  and TPHS resources Family resources Mental Health support services CARE Solace TPHS counselors PEERK12 ANALYSIS Good grief, where to begin...?! Let's start by stating the obvious: this is no longer a hypothetical situation, and so tossing a dismissive " don't worry, my team is adept at responding " at Jewish parents in the same email thread where you've just admitted the district mishandled the Human Swastika Incident at SDA is ...... (drumroll please): DEMONSTRABLY FALSE. It's almost obscene to give this sort of vague assurances that the school “ will work diligently ” if something ever happens. Don’t forget: something DID happen, and the school did NOT work diligently to address it. Next, district parents were just told (in the Superintendent's email) that the district protocol wasn't followed. Here they are reaching out to gain a better understanding of that protocol and for corresponding resources. Not only was their main concern never addressed, they are also not supplied with any information about where to go find the information. The message is unmistakable: the principal is treating them on a “need-to-know” basis, and acting as if they don’t need to know.  The correct response is to give parents concrete information on who the main point of contact would be for all complaints and incidents, provide information on victim support, safety planning, academic accommodations, school-climate remedies, or removal of hateful content. Parents also want to understand whether/when they will be notified during the process, what the communication cadence would be, and potentially how to appeal if the response they receive is inadequate (and highly likely in this case). The Missing Piece on Accountability and Consequences The principal really should have STARTED his response by reassuring parents that hate-motivated conduct against their Jewish children can-and-will  trigger discipline and possible law-enforcement involvement. Unfortunately, he also missed the chance to explain that student-privacy laws bar the district from disclosing specific penalties, thus preempting inevitable future demands to reveal offenders’ punishments. Transparency about consequences to unacceptable behaviors serves as a deterrent and signals to every student that the school treats hate seriously before it escalates.  At SDUHSD this can be found in District Policy AR 5144.1 on 'Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process" and Board Policies 5145.3, 5145.9, 1312.3,  which all provide details about the types of conduct and hate-motivated behaviors that are subject to discipline  and enforcement. Bottom Line: This Isn’t a “Communication Style” Issue . . . This is a Systemic Compliance Failure A principal who brushes off safety questions by waxing poetic about social clubs, empty slogans, and “ I can’t talk about a specific protocols ” is a truly tone-deaf response to parents who are legitimately worried their child could be this district’s next antisemitic hate crime victim. It's this " I can’t talk about a specific protocol ” claim that is his most egregious because it is also completely false . SDUHSD’s own Board Policies (BP 5145.3, BP 5145.9, BP 1312.3), administrative regulations (AR 5144.1), and the district’s robust UCP (complete with a full time staffer) are publicly available and designed for exactly these situations. However, as we can see, even the most well-written process is totally meaningless if the faculty leaders responsible for implementing it don’t  follow it ... or won’t  follow it ... or can’t  even explain it.  And if principals can't articulate their district's clear, policy-aligned protocols for antisemitic hate crimes the day after a major announcement went out detailing how the district failed to follow its own protocols when an antisemitic hate crime occurred - well, then - SDUHSD’s system is officially broken.  Jewish students - and all students - deserve more than platitudes and useless slogans claiming ‘hate has no place here’ when clearly it does. Is that really too much to ask?  In this case, the district’s answer appears to be yes . ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR PARENTS & DISTRICTS A CHEATSHEET FOR PARENTS: if something like this happens to you... Document and Report EVERYTHING:   Take voice notes of every detail of the incident, record your child explaining what happened; transcribe using AI (include dates, time stamps, names of anyo ne you met with or spoke to about it); Go to your school district's main website and collect every email of every administrator listed; Send one email to all of them asking who the contact person is for submitting an antisemitic incident report; Submit a written report to site administration and the district’s UCP  portal/contact; Keep copies of everything ; Require district officials to conduct all communication with you ONLY IN WRITING (no phone calls);  Ask for summaries of every meeting to be sent via email; Ask for confirmation of receipt to every complaint you file. Invoke Your Rights:   Cite your district’s equivalent of San Dieguito Union High School’s BP 5145.3, BP 5145.9, and BP 1312.3 - to find your district equivalent - simply search your school district’s website for board policies on anti-discrimination , hate crimes , bullying , civil rights protections/violations , and uniform complaint procedures (UCP) ;  Ask for the timeline and your appeal rights to be sent to you in writing. Request Supports:   Ask for counseling, academic accommodations, and safety planning; Request removal of any hateful content and appropriate school-climate education. Don't Wait - Escalate if Needed:   If timelines aren’t met or remedies fall short, PeerK12 can help you escalate and/or appeal to your state's Department of Education or even the Federal Office of Civil Rights. A CHEATSHEET FOR DISTRICTS: how to respond in a way that evokes safety and builds trust .... Acknowledge -- immediately and publicly -- and state this pernicious hate by name: Antisemitism, Jew-hatred, Anti-Jewish Racism, Anti-Zionism, Hatred of Jews The discriminatory double standard practice of not publicly acknowledging Jew-hatred as a very specific type of hate crime has done tremendous damage over the years. It is time to lead by example - you need to say this - and say it loudly: HATING JEWS BECAUSE THEY'RE JEWS IS WRONG Each time you shy away from immediately sending out a message to your community, you are causing harm by enabling these incidents to continue to grow and spread. The promise is "Never Again Is NOW," not: " never again is in about a month, after we try to deal with this quietly behind closed doors and hope no one finds out about it.. .". Show how to take real accountability   Don't just say "hate-motivated behavior and conduct are not tolerated" - be specific and give examples - leave no doubt in anyone's mind. Discipline consistent with AR 5144.1  or equivalent, and Ed Code (including hate-violence where applicable); Reassure parents and students alike that staff are required to intervene **immediately.** Give parents clear information on how to report incidents Specify who parents should contact at the school site (principal, associate principal, counselor assigned to your student, UCP coordinator, reporting hotline, etc.); as well as who the single point of contact for these issues would be for the entire district;  Link to your district's policies on Title IX, Title VI, UCP, and Assurance of Nondiscrimination; Detail about when and why coordination with law enforcement is required (and what to expect in that situation); Keep this information handy so you can quickly access it and send it anytime to anyone. Help parents understand what happens during and after the incident complaint process   Provide them with a direct line of communication with your UCP coordinator; Let them know what your cadence is for written confirmation from UCP coordinator when complaint submissions are received; Give explanations of next steps and what parents can expect in terms of timelines (interviews, evidence collection, findings); Offer information on appealing an outcome should they find it unsatisfactory. Reassure parents that the district provides many supports and remedies   Counseling, check-ins, academic accommodations, safety planning, removal of hateful content, and school-climate education. AVOID referencing irrelevant school programs (that are CLEARLY not working) Each time you list these empty slogans you alienate parents - especially when these programs ('no place for hate') aren’t even searchable on your website... Latching on to these during a misstep only draw more attention to the fact that you failed to implement whatever that program claims it can do for you (and highlights irresponsible spending if the program has cost the district a lot of money when there is clearly nothing to show for the lost investment). Last but not least: please STOP consulting your "anti-bias" trainers and START listening to the Jewish students and their parents in your community about what they want and need in order to feel seen and heard.

Lawmakers strip enforcement powers, antisemitism definition, and accountability from AB 715 - leaving Jewish students defenseless while advancing Ethnic Studies. What began as a promising civil-rights bill to protect Jewish and Israeli-American students in California’s public schools has been gutted beyond recognition. Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 715 , but not before lawmakers systematically removed every safeguard  that once made the legislation meaningful. The result? A powerless “Office of Civil Rights and Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator” who cannot investigate , cannot enforce , and cannot act  - only “ advise .” What Happened to CA AB 715? In a late-summer committee room, AB 715 was gutted like a political sacrifice. The legal definition of antisemitism? Deleted. The power to investigate or enforce? Stripped. The Office of Civil Rights Coordinator? Reduced to a powerless “technical assistant.” Does AB 715 Provide Any New Protections? Not really. The bill mostly focuses on the creation of a state-level antisemitism coordinator to serve as a resource provider (with no investigative or oversight powers). Other than that, there are only two real new items that do not already exist. One requires that each local school district must create a page on their website to outline the resources available on antisemitism and provide annual notification to parents about these resources : " The bill would require the Superintendent, in consultation with the executive director of the state board and the Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator, to develop and maintain a distinct internet web page containing resources and information specific to antisemitism on its internet website.; and "(e) Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to pupils, parents and guardians, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations or any successor regulation. " And the second change from what is currently already available is a modification to the existing complaint process that removes the need for a name to be associated with complaints: "A complaint may be filed by any member of the public, including anyone electing to file anonymously, if the complaint provides evidence or information leading to evidence to support an allegation of noncompliance with subdivision." Listen on Spotify Listed to Our Breakdown on the Israeli-American Podcast: California's Antisemitism Bill Explained with ICANaction & PeerK12 Listen on Apple PeerK12's Nicole Bernstein joined ICAN's Dillon Hosier for a breakdown of AB 715 in this podcast episode from October 8, 2025. The discussion starts with the breaking news of the day - Trump's Gaza Plan accepted and the hostages are set to be released! Then we dive into AB 715 to discuss what that bill means for Jewish and Israeli-American students, how AB 715 was positioned as legislative cover for advancing the Ethnic Studies mandate, and why both ICAN and PeerK12 are urging Californians to stay engaged ahead of the 2026 legislative session. How AB 715 Was Dismantled During the September 10 Senate Education Committee hearing, lawmakers detailed the drastic changes made to AB 715 and explained their reasoning. As each speaker gave their comments, it became clear that this bill had been tokenized and was being used as a thinly veiled legislative cover to advance the Ethnic Studies mandate rather than as a genuine civil rights tool to protect Jewish and Israeli-American students. Chair Senator Sasha Renee Perez spelled it out on the record: “The bill does not directly define antisemitism... it no longer includes provisions specific to an antisemitic learning environment.” And: “The Office of Civil Rights and Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator... will not be doing investigations.” Meanwhile, real cases will keep getting lost in the same broken Uniform Complaint Process  - a bureaucratic graveyard already notorious for delays and inaction. Perez went further, editorializing mid-hearing that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a “ war criminal” and calling Israel’s self-defense in Gaza “ criminal .” Why do we believe this is all about ethnic studies? Because they told us themselves. During that same late night September 10 Senate Education Committee hearing, other lawmakers finally allowed themselves to say the quiet part out loud. Senator Lena Gonzalez - chair of the Diversity Caucus - announced: The diversity caucuses want Ethnic Studies. We absolutely believe in Ethnic Studies. We want Ethnic Studies to move forward.” Translation: AB 715 isn’t a shield for Jewish or Israeli-American students.  It’s camouflage - designed to make opposition to Ethnic Studies look unreasonable, while ensuring the state’s new graduation mandate (AB 101) faces no serious resistance when it is brought back into the Legislature for discussion in 2026. Governor Newsom signs away real civil rights protections Governor Newsom's signing statement promises "follow-up" legislation in 2026 to address concerns about requirements like factual accuracy in instruction. We fully anticipate that an additional "follow-up" will surface when the Diversity Caucuses cash in their IOU's and demand that the elusive Ethnic Studies funding debate will once against take center stage. The message to Jewish families was unmistakable: this law isn’t about protecting you. It’s about protecting their politics. PeerK12's response We thank the authors for starting the conversation and their valiant efforts to stay the course; but let’s be clear: this bill was hijacked and gutted - what's left is a whole lot of nothing. What could have been California’s first meaningful protection against antisemitism in classrooms was instead rewritten to serve as a political shield for the state’s Ethnic Studies establishment. AB 715 is not enforcement. It’s performance. A decoy meant to neutralize public outrage while allowing the ideological status quo to advance unchallenged. This is what we're up against: California Senator Sasha Renee Perez on AB 715; Friday September 12, 2025 full statement about (or rather, explanation of) this antisemitism bill - specifically what it IS - and what it is NOT . What comes next? Governor Newsom’s promise of a 2026 “fix” means this fight is far from over. We'll be watching to ensure next year’s legislation delivers real  protections: Clear definitions of antisemitism rooted in civil-rights law. Investigative authority with enforcement teeth. Accountability for districts that ignore Jewish student safety. We urge every parent, advocate, and ally to stay ready. Read ICANaction's Policy Briefs on AB 715: ICAN Statement Urging Californians to Stay Engaged Following Governor Newsom’s Signing of AB 715 Newsom Signs AB 715 on | October 7, 2025 ICAN Statement and Policy Brief of AB 715 AB 715 - Antisemitism Legislation Policy Brief & Position: Suppo rt | July 7, 2025 RELATED LINKS: Link to AB 715 on California's Legislation Website Gov. Newsom's Press Release on SB 48 and AB 715 Governor Newsom signs bills further cracking down on hate and antisemitism in California schools Link to AB 715 Signing Statement from the Governors office  (PDF) Golden State Plan to Counter Antisemitism Commission on the State of Hate California vs. Hate Hotline