City Council Denounces Acts Of Antisemitism In Manhattan Beach

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — The Manhattan Beach City Council denounced antisemitic actions that have been taking place in local schools by approving a resolution that adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism.

The IHRA defines antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities."

At the city council's Oct. 6 meeting Mayor Steve Napolitano said he was disgusted and disheartened by the antisemitic incidents that continue to take place in schools in Manhattan Beach Unified.

In 2022 alone there have been nine different reports of antisemitic incidents, with the most recent being on Sept. 17 at Pennekamp Elementary School where officials found hateful phrases and swastikas drawn on walls.

The first symbols were found in February at Mira Costa High School where a swastika and a Confederate flag were drawn inside of a bathroom stall.

"We take every hateful act very seriously, and our Police Department along with our community partners will continue investigating every criminal act to ensure the perpetrators are held accountable," Napolitano said. "It's time to say enough. It's time for parents to talk to their kids. It's time that all of us join together and take a stance against hate. Manhattan Beach is a welcoming community and there is no place for hate here. We thrive on being a diverse community that is open to all regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, or gender.”

The city will be launching a Manhattan Beach vs Hate campaign designed to educate the community about the impacts of hateful acts on the community. Visit LA vs Hate to learn more about the L.A. County’s program designed to track and report hate.