California governor Newsom releases plan to combat record levels of antisemitism

• Published date: 06 April 2024
• Author: HANNAH SARISOHN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

"Antisemitism has proliferated at a shocking speed in recent years, globally and here in California. Jewish people make up about 3% of California's population, but anti-Jewish hate crimes accounted for 62.4% of all reported hate crimes involving religious bias in the state in 2022," according to the plan. "In California, anti-Jewish bias events increased 24.3% from 152 in 2021 to 189 in 2022. And violence and threats have escalated since the terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7."

Newsom's plan will invest $150 million for a multi-year "Stop the Hate" program to support hate crime and violence prevention programs, and provide community services for victims and survivors of hate acts. About $13 million will be granted to organizations serving religious minorities.

The plan also fosters California and Israel's economic and academic partnerships.

Goals to combat online hate and mitigate hate crimes

The plan also addresses online hate, supporting local law enforcement in holding perpetrators of hate crimes accountable and enforcing campus safety policies.

In a statement, Jewish...