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California political donor and Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal has documented relationships with the Israel lobby and pro-Israel advocacy through political contributions, participation in official delegations to Israel, and legislative initiatives supported by Jewish advocacy organizations.
Lowenthal has received direct political contributions totaling $26,700 from the California Jewish PAC between 2021 and 2025. The California Jewish PAC is identified as a “primary vehicle for pro-Israel and Zionist advocacy and political influence within California state government.”
In February 2024, Lowenthal was part of a delegation of California state legislators who traveled to Israel. A joint statement from the lawmakers indicated the trip’s purpose was to “meet with impacted communities and bear witness to the devastation caused by the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and resulting Israel-Hamas war, both of which have had significant impacts on communities across California.”
Lowenthal has also engaged in legislative efforts supported by Jewish community advocacy groups. He co-authored Assembly Bill 2925, a bill that mandates the top five most targeted groups, including the Jewish community, be incorporated into higher education anti-discrimination and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) trainings. This bill was a priority for the Federation and the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC) and was signed into law. Lowenthal is also a member of the Legislative Jewish Caucus. A bill he introduced, AB 2351, which aims to give school administrators authority to suspend students for cyberbullying, became a priority for the Jewish Caucus due to a reported increase in antisemitism and Islamophobia on school campuses.
Lowenthal’s connection to pro-Israel sentiment extends to his family background; his father, former U.S. Representative Alan Lowenthal, was aligned with J Street, a liberal Jewish Middle East policy group focused on preserving a two-state outcome to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Josh Lowenthal himself has resided in Israel. During his 2018 campaign, his Republican opponent faced accusations of employing antisemitic imagery, depicting Lowenthal clutching dollar bills in campaign literature.
| Candidate | Years | Direct Contributions | Behested Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Wiener | 2025 | $3,500 | $0 |
| Robert Garcia | 2021 | $2,500 | $0 |
| Matt Haney | 2021 | $2,000 | $0 |
| Rick Zbur | 2021 | $500 | $0 |