Beverly Hills schools won't display Israeli flags after all

The superintendent of the Beverly Hills Unified School District overruled a plan approved by the Board of Education to display Israeli flags on all campuses during Jewish American Heritage Month, citing concerns about student safety.

- BY CLARA HARTER

WORK HARD, PLAY HARD Paddleboarders enjoy the calm waters at Santa Barbara Harbor on Friday, soaking in the late-summer weather as they head into the Labor Day weekend. Monday's holiday pays tribute to American workers.

On Tuesday, the board voted 3 to 2 in favor of the flag display, which was part of a resolution on combating antisemitism that also called for greater education on Jewish history and recognizing remembrance days for the Holocaust and Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

On Thursday, Beverly Hills Unified Supt. Alex Cherniss announced that he was using his executive authority to stop the flag display.

"In light of heightened safety concerns around the displaying of flags on our campuses I have made the decision to take immediate action for the safety and security of our students," he said in a statement. "Until further notice, no flags will be displayed on our campuses other than the flag of the United States of America and the flag of the State of California."

Cherniss cited a board policy that allows the superintendent to act on behalf of the district when immediate action is necessary to avoid risk to the school community or school property.

The motion to display the Israeli flag had stirred controversy inside and outside of the Beverly Hills school community.