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Rick Chavez Zbur, a California State Assemblymember, has a documented record of pro-Israel advocacy and connections to organizations identified as part of the Israel lobby. His public statements, legislative actions, and campaign contributions reflect a consistent stance in support of Israel.
Zbur’s campaign website for “RE-ELECT RICK CHAVEZ ZBUR FOR ASSEMBLY 2026” states that he is “strongly pro-Israel, and will fight anti-Semitic activities that are sweeping college campuses and our communities.” This position is reiterated in his campaign materials as a core priority.
He is an Associate Member of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, a group that advocates for Jewish community priorities and aims to “empower and strengthen the Jewish voice for justice, equality, and progress.” The caucus has actively sought funding for initiatives addressing hate crimes, antisemitism, community security, and Holocaust education.
Following the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel, Zbur issued a statement expressing strong support for Israel. He stated he was “horrified and heartbroken” by the events, stood “firmly and unequivocally with Israel and its right to defend itself,” and characterized Hamas as “ISIS-style terrorists” intent on the “destruction of the Jewish State and the murder of Jewish people.” He also condemned public rallies celebrating these “barbaric acts.” In January 2025, Zbur commented on an Israel-Hamas ceasefire, remarking that “Hamas began a conflict that has caused untold suffering for Israeli and Palestinian civilians.”
Zbur’s engagement extends to direct interaction with Jewish community groups. In November 2023, he visited the Los Angeles Orthodox Jewish community, a visit facilitated by Agudath Israel of America’s California Office. During this visit, he “expressed his support for Israel and sympathy for the victims of the terror attacks.”
His pro-Israel stance has drawn criticism from pro-Palestinian organizations. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Los Angeles (CAIR-LA), condemned Zbur’s response to an incident involving a pro-Israel group and a pro-Palestinian student encampment at UCLA. CAIR-LA characterized Zbur’s statement as “one-sided” and accused him of disregarding “Islamophobic, xenophobic, and anti-Palestinian attacks” while failing to acknowledge “repeated provocations and harassment that pro-Palestinian students on campus have experienced.” CAIR-LA also criticized Zbur for “conflating antisemitism with legitimate criticism of the state of Israel.” Critics, including his primary challenger Colin Hernandez, have asserted that Zbur “constantly conflates anti-Zionism with antisemitism.”
Zbur is also a co-author of California Assembly Bill 715, legislation designed to address antisemitism in schools. This bill generated debate regarding its potential impact on free speech within educational settings, particularly in the context of discussions surrounding the Israeli-Hamas conflict. Zbur supported the bill, arguing it would protect Jewish students from discrimination and bullying.
Campaign finance records indicate contributions to Rick Zbur from sources identified as part of the Israel lobby. According to track-jpac (a component of Jewish California), Zbur has received a total of $23,650 in “Israel lobby contributions.” This includes $14,150 from the California Jewish PAC, which is described as a “primary vehicle for pro-Israel and Zionist advocacy and political influence within California state government.” Other listed contributors with documented ties to pro-Israel organizations include Robert J. Fisher ($8,000) and John Fisher ($1,500).
| Candidate | Years | Direct Contributions | Behested Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Wiener | 2025 | $1,000 | $0 |