Beverly Hills superintendent blocks Israeli flag, board adopts new resolution
Beverly Hills Unified School District will not raise the Israeli flag in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month. The superintendent announced that he would overturn the Board of Education’s vote, citing safety concerns across campus as a deciding factor.
The Board of Education originally, in a 3-2 vote, approved displaying the flag, aiming to show support for the Jewish community amid a nationwide increase in antisemitism.
The Tuesday meeting made way for the resolution marking May as Jewish American Heritage Month and underscores the district’s commitment to fighting antisemitism. The original resolution honored the memory of the Holocaust and the events of Oct. 7, while adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism.
Superintendent blocks Israeli flag over safety concerns
“In light of heightened safety concerns around the displaying of flags on our campuses I have made the decision to take immediate action for the safety and security of our students,” Superintendent Alex Cherniss said in a statement. “Until further notice, no flags will be displayed on our campuses other than the flag of the United States of America and the flag of the State of California.”
Cherniss said he was acting under a board policy that permits the superintendent to intervene when there’s a potential threat to the safety of students, staff or school property or if a decision could disrupt normal school operations.
Two board members, Rachelle Marcus and Amanda Stern, voted against the measure to fly the flag, citing concerns over the Israeli flag requirement. Stern, who is Jewish, said the mandate clashes with a recent policy limiting partisan displays.
New policy standardizes flag displays across campuses
In a special meeting called on Friday, the board stated that Cherniss had issued a district-wide directive limiting flag displays to only the U.S. and California flags. While this temporary measure addressed recent threats and disruptions, the board must now formally approve or replace it.
During public comment, some praised Cherniss’ decision as representing all students and demonstrating leadership that “values unity, safety and inclusion above political division.”
Other commenters criticized the three board members who initially approved the resolution, arguing that the board should maintain a nonpartisan stance regardless of the issue at hand.
BHUSD has adopted a new policy to maintain consistent and neutral flag displays across all district properties. Under the resolution, only the following flags may be flown or displayed: the U.S. flag, the California state flag, the city of Beverly Hills’ flag, the district’s official flag and any approved school-site flag.
All other flags, banners, or symbols are prohibited on district property, regardless of their message or purpose. The policy applies to all indoor and outdoor locations, including classrooms, buildings and fences, but does not restrict banners or signage for school operations, PTA events, fundraisers or student activities.
Not every community member supported the resolution. One parent argued that it shouldn’t pass because it doesn’t solve any problems or help students when it comes to improving education, saying, “Banning all flags is not a solution to antisemitism, it is just vindictive.”
Russell Stuart, one of the board members who voted in favor of the original measure, said the resolution ensures inclusivity for all students. He added that it does not single out any flag, but applies to every student regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation.
Rising antisemitism nationwide
In 2024, the Anti-Defamation League recorded 9,354 antisemitic incidents nationwide, a 5% jump from the 8,873 incidents reported in 2023. Over the past five years, these acts have surged 344%, and over the last decade, they’ve climbed 893%, reaching the highest level since the ADL began tracking antisemitism 46 years ago.
Community reactions and differing perspectives
The Los Angeles chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace, a coalition of anti-Zionist American Jews, told the Los Angeles Times that displaying the Israeli flag conflates Judaism with Zionism and the political actions of the state of Israel. The group said there are other ways to recognize Jews and promote their safety.
“Yet, there is so much more to our faith, community, and history than a flag that has now become a symbol of genocide,” the group said.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
