Israeli flags will be displayed at all campuses and district offices in the Beverly Hills Unified School District during the month of May. The school board voted 3-2 in favor of the policy on Tuesday. The stated goal is to fight rising antisemitism by showing solidarity with the Jewish community.
In addition to the flag displays, BHUSD will recognize October 7 as a Day of Remembrance after the 2023 Hamas-led attacks in Israel. May will be designated Jewish Heritage Month.
Board President Rachelle Marcus and Trustee Amanda Stern voted against the proposal. Marcus said she worries the flag displays could make schools a target for violence. Stern took issue with the “partisan” political message it sends.
Beverly Hills Vice Mayor John Mirisch spoke in favor of the policy at Tuesday’s meeting. He called it “a no-brainer” for the Jewish-majority city.
Supporters of the resolution say the flag displays should not be conflated with support for a geopolitical issue. That argument has been met with skepticism, especially in light of the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Read the resolution here.
UPDATE: Beverly Hills Superintendent Blocks Israeli Flag Displays Over Safety Concerns