California's legislature made a controversial attempt to counter antisemitism in schools by restricting what teachers teach in classrooms. The effort created a political quagmire for Democrats who needed to balance the needs of Jewish communities against a growing pro-Palestinian base. California's Jewish lawmakers introduced the bill in response to intensifying clashes in schools and college campuses nationwide over the Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza. The version that passed and was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom does not mention the conflict, but prohibits the use of materials that would subject a student to illegal discrimination. Critics say the law silences constitutionally protected free speech and could allow bad-faith critics to dispute other controversial topics taught in schools