09/26/2026
Gov. Newsom just signed AB 2664, a law that followed peaceful protests outside synagogue events selling property in illegal Israeli settlements.
Now, leafleting, holding a sign or protesting within eight feet of someone entering or leaving a house of worship, without consent, can mean up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.
California already had laws against threats, harassment, and obstruction at houses of worship.
CAIR-CA, ACLU California Action, Jewish Voice for Peace, and other groups opposed the bill. CAIR-CA proposed amendments to protect free speech. Lead proponents declined them.
"We are seeing a concerning escalation in the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in the West Bank by illegal Israeli settlers. We also know that some of this illegally occupied land has been offered for sale exclusively to Jewish Americans at events hosted by American synagogues," said CAIR-CA Legislative and Government Affairs Director Oussama Mokeddem.
"This anti-speech law, alongside federal attempts to shield illegal land sales from criticism, is a desperate attempt to silence the growing opposition among the American people to the illegal occupation and ethnic cleansing of Palestinian land."
Read our full statement: bit.ly/ab2664
