Jewish Legislator Says Progressive Group Anti-Semitic

Even Though Courage California Endorsed Him, Levine Says Its Wording Shows Bias

 

Updated November 19: Courage California’s Response Included Below

SACRAMENTO, California (Press Release) — Assemblymember Marc Levine (D – Marin County) on Tuesday, Nov. 17, condemned Courage California for including an anti-Semitic attack in its 2020 recommendation of Levine.

 

In an October 2020 recommendation of Assemblymember Levine by Courage California, the organization stated:

 

“Based on our Courage Score analysis, Rep. (sic) Levine has supported the most progressive bills that made it to a vote. That said, Rep. (sic) Levine has been a supporter of Israeli occupation. In 2018, he led a delegation of nine California lawmakers to Israel. He has previously stated that, ‘Israel is a country (he) feels a strong connection to.’ He has led multiple initiatives aimed at fostering partnerships between California and Israeli legislators.” 

 

The recommendation implies that Assemblymember Levine supports a policy of the state of Israel. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism includes, “holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.”

 

Following discovery of this anti-Semitic attack against Levine, the California Legislative Jewish Caucus intervened and demanded a number of actions be taken by Courage California including removing the anti-Semitic language from Courage California’s website, strengthening its review process of written materials or communications, requiring sensitivity training for all of its staff and releasing a joint statement apologizing for the anti-Semitic attack against Levine.

 

Initially, Courage California agreed to these terms. Yet during a follow up conversation with Levine’s staff and Courage California Institute’s Board Chair Lindsay Gardner and his staff, Gardner launched another anti-Semitic attack by asking Levine’s staff what “pound of flesh” was being sought by the Legislative Jewish Caucus. The phrase “pound of flesh” refers to William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, which has been widely criticized for Shakespeare’s use of anti-Semitic language. Gardner has not apologized for his actions.

 

Ultimately, Courage California refused to participate in a joint statement apologizing to Levine and condemning anti-Semitism. It is unclear if Courage California will take any actions it had previously committed to that would prevent further anti-Semitic attacks against Jewish lawmakers or other individuals of Jewish descent.

 

“Healthy criticism is part of my work as an elected official, but I was completely surprised to be targeted by bigotry and anti-Semitism,” said Assemblymember Levine. “Anti-Semitism is especially pernicious as it can go unnoticed by many who don’t recognize it when they see it. With hate and violence against minorities on the rise across the United States, we must expect more from progressive organizations not to fan the flames of anti-Semitism.”

 

“Courage California has shown cowardice in this important moment,” continued Levine. “While this organization proclaims progressive ideals, it fails its own courage test by continuing to engage in anti-Semitic attacks against Jews. This troubling pattern should be a warning to any of Courage California’s 1.3 million progressive members or its progressive donors who are funding anti-Semitism. Fighting anti-Semitism requires all of us to stand up against hate. It is dangerous, especially at this moment in our history, to have progressive organizations like Courage California engage in hate and bigotry. With so much darkness in the world, we need allies more than ever to stand up against anti-Semitism.”

*
Preceding provided by Assemblymember Levine

*

Courage California Responds

LOS ANGELES —  On November 17, Assemblymember Marc Levine issued a statement condemning Courage California for language included in an October 2020 Voter Guide, which recommended the Assemblymember.

Courage California has long been committed to fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights, gender equity, environmental justice, economic equity, and other issues championing the rights of all Californians. As part of that commitment, we issue a voter guide to help people vote in line with their values across issues.

Courage California’s Executive Director, Irene Kao, issued the following statement in response:

Courage California’s 2020 Voter Guide recommendation of Assemblymember Marc Levine included a flawed and problematic inference and bordered on an anti-Semitic trope. This was a regretful failure in our process, and we apologized to Assemblymember Levine and other members of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus.

Immediately upon learning that the language used was harmful, it was removed from our site —  on October 15, twenty days prior to Election Day. Since, Courage California has taken proactive steps to ensure this never happens again, including consulting with several of our Jewish partners, board members, and advisors, including the Legislative Jewish Caucus, to learn from our mistake and be a better partner against all anti-Semitism. We sent a letter to Caucus Chair Ben Allen, Vice-Chair Jesse Gabriel, and Assemblymember Levine on November 17, reiterating our apology and commitment to working with the Caucus. And we will honor our commitment to learning from our mistake, preventing this from happening again, and standing with the Caucus against all anti-Semitism.

Courage California tried to develop a joint statement with Assemblymember Marc Levine, but we were unable to agree on the language because of the statement’s inaccuracies and mischaracterization of our organization and values.

Courage California is dedicated to fighting for equity, justice, and accountability on behalf of all Californians, including standing up against all anti-Semitism. Courage California is dedicated to fighting for equity, justice, and accountability on behalf of all Californians, including standing up against all anti-Semitism. Courage California Institute’s Board Chair Lindsay Gardner, who is Jewish, has stewarded Courage in standing against all injustices for seven years, and those who work closely with him can speak to his commitment to fighting anti-Semitism.

*
Preceding provided by Courage California