Let us know if you spot an inaccuracy: trackjpac@gmail.com
Marc Berman, a Democratic member of the California State Assembly representing District 23, has a documented relationship with pro-Israel advocacy and organizations. His involvement is evidenced through campaign contributions, membership in the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, participation in a delegation to Israel, and public statements on issues related to Israel.
The “Marc Berman for Assembly 2022” campaign received a total of $77,550 in contributions identified as coming from the “Israel lobby”. Notable direct contributors include the California Jewish PAC ($29,050), the California Jewish Legislative Caucus Leadership PAC ($13,000), Doris Fisher ($9,900), Robert J. Fisher ($9,600), and William S. Fisher ($9,600). These individuals and political action committees are described as significant donors to Zionist and pro-Israel organizations, and active advocates for pro-Israel causes.
Berman is a member of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus (CLJC). This caucus is characterized as the “political financing arm of a legislative caucus dedicated to promoting pro-Israel legislation, strengthening California-Israel ties, and countering anti-Zionism”. The CLJC has issued public statements that reflect a pro-Israel stance, including characterizing support for a free Palestine as antisemitic and mischaracterizing pro-Palestine individuals as terrorism supporters. The caucus also publicly supported Israeli victims of the October 7th attack but did not extend similar public support to Palestinian victims. In November 2023, Berman endorsed a CLJC statement that denounced protesters chanting “from the river to sea” and “resistance is justified when people are occupied,” interpreting these chants as calls for the destruction of Israel and justifications for the Hamas attack. The CLJC has also reportedly sponsored legislation to limit dissent related to Israel and protests on California State University and California Community College campuses.
In July 2018, Berman participated in a bipartisan delegation of California state legislators that visited Israel. This trip was organized by AJC (American Jewish Committee) Project Interchange, an educational institute of AJC, and was fully sponsored by Project Interchange. The delegation engaged in discussions and briefings focused on fostering technological innovation and bilateral opportunities between California and Israel, covering topics such as Israel’s strategic environment, diversity issues, and inter-religious cooperation.
Furthermore, Berman has publicly addressed concerns related to Israel in the context of California’s educational curriculum. In September 2019, he responded to criticisms from Jewish groups regarding a draft ethnic studies curriculum for high schools. Critics argued the draft was biased against Israel, endorsed the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and lacked substantial discussion of antisemitism. While supporting ethnic studies, Berman acknowledged that the draft appeared to suffer from an “anti-Israel, anti-Jewish bias” among some of its writers and advisory board members.
Berman has also engaged with the Jewish Public Affairs Committee (JPAC), described as a leading Jewish advocacy network in California state politics. During JPAC’s annual convention in 2022, Berman met with advocates and discussed legislative priorities, including a bill that would require social media companies to report on policies moderating hate speech. The conversation reportedly indicated Berman’s existing support for JPAC’s agenda.
| Candidate | Years | Direct Contributions | Behested Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Haney | 2021 | $2,000 | $0 |