Rising Antisemitism in the Bay Area: Jewish Community Responds to Mayor’s Controversial Actions

In California’s Bay Area, a significant controversy has erupted following Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez’s sharing of antisemitic conspiracy theories online. The incident has galvanized the Jewish community, leading to calls for the mayor’s resignation and the formation of a new advocacy organization aimed at combating rising antisemitism. As a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Martinez sparked outrage when he shared posts on LinkedIn suggesting that the Bondi Beach terror attack in Australia was a “false flag” operation and blamed Israel for increasing antisemitism. Although he later deleted these posts and issued an apology, stating “We should not conflate Zionism with Judaism,” many Jewish leaders have criticized his response as inadequate and harmful. The incident reflects broader concerns about antisemitism becoming more visible in mainstream politics and raises questions about accountability from elected officials whose words carry significant weight in their communities.

The Jewish community’s reaction to Mayor Martinez’s posts has been swift and unified in condemnation. Sam Yebri, who has strong ties to the Los Angeles Jewish community, emphasized that sharing such hateful rhetoric goes “beyond a mistake” and has dangerous real-world consequences, stating that Martinez “has consistently and repeatedly trafficked in the worst antisemitism imaginable, and now has put the lives of his Jewish constituents in jeopardy.” Similarly, Rabbi Dean Kertesz, recently retired from Temple Beth El in Richmond, expressed anger at the situation, drawing a clear distinction between legitimate criticism of Israeli policy and antisemitism: “What we’re seeing is not legitimate criticism of Israeli policy. It’s hatred of Jews. And that’s where this road leads.” The rabbi also highlighted the added responsibility that comes with Martinez’s position as mayor, noting, “He’s the mayor. What he says publicly reflects on the city. He doesn’t get to separate his politics from his office.” These responses indicate that for many Jewish leaders, the concern isn’t just about offensive content shared online, but about the potential real-world violence that such rhetoric might inspire.

This controversy emerges against a backdrop of increasing tensions in Richmond’s local governance. According to Jeremy Russell, director of marketing and communications at the Bay Area Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), the city council, including members aligned with the DSA, has increasingly drawn the Israel-Hamas war into municipal matters since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The council even passed a formal resolution expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, which some Jewish residents felt amplified their sense of isolation and unease. Russell noted that their efforts to engage with the mayor and city council previously had been unsuccessful: “This didn’t start with one post. We’ve engaged with the mayor and the city council before. We realized we were getting nowhere.” The JCRC has circulated an open letter calling for Martinez’s resignation, emphasizing that his actions represent a pattern of behavior rather than an isolated incident. They also highlighted Martinez’s appearance at the People’s Conference for Palestine in Detroit where he wore a hat bearing the acronym “DDTTIDF,” which the Anti-Defamation League identified as standing for “Death, Death to the Israeli Defense Forces.” Though Martinez claimed he didn’t understand the meaning of the acronym, this explanation has only intensified concerns about his judgment and awareness.

In response to these developments, the Bay Area Jewish community has formed a new political advocacy organization launched last summer. This organization represents a departure from traditional approaches to antisemitism, which many community leaders felt were no longer adequate. Unlike charity-focused Jewish organizations, this new group is structured for political action—free to lobby, pressure lawmakers, and engage in direct advocacy. Neal Rubin, president of the Bay Area Jewish Alliance (BAJA), explained the necessity of this approach: “During this unprecedented and uncertain moment for Bay Area Jews, it is crucial that our community feels safe, heard and understood. BAJA is an important new resource that will allow us to build real influence with lawmakers and advocate forcefully for our shared values.” Jonathan Mintzer, the organization’s director, emphasized that antisemitism is no longer confined to the shadows but is increasingly visible in mainstream politics and public office, suggesting that Mayor Martinez’s situation exemplifies this troubling trend.

The controversy surrounding Martinez also highlights tensions within progressive politics regarding Israel and antisemitism. The DSA, of which Martinez is a member, has taken openly anti-Israel positions, including calls to halt US military aid and support for boycott efforts—positions that some Jewish leaders believe have normalized antisemitism under the guise of political speech. Yebri’s statement that “Martinez must resign and leave public life forever, and other DSA candidates and elected officials like him should stop inviting violence against Jews in America” reflects this concern about the blurring lines between criticism of Israel and antisemitism in progressive circles. Mintzer suggested that Martinez’s apology revealed a deeper problem—not just poor judgment but a failure of accountability. He argued that a meaningful apology would require acknowledging why the posts were harmful, how they stoked fear, and how rhetoric that demonizes Jews and Israelis can contribute to real-world violence. This perspective underscores the Jewish community’s concern that antisemitism is being normalized or overlooked within certain political movements, even as those movements claim to stand against other forms of discrimination.

The situation in Richmond exemplifies the complex intersection of local politics, international conflicts, and community relations in an increasingly polarized environment. For the Bay Area Jewish community, Martinez’s actions represent more than just offensive social media posts; they symbolize a growing sense that antisemitism is becoming more acceptable in public discourse, particularly when couched in anti-Israel rhetoric. The formation of a new advocacy organization reflects both the community’s alarm at these developments and their determination to respond more assertively. As Russell put it, “There’s a real perception that this is getting worse,” highlighting the community’s concern that without direct political engagement and accountability, antisemitism will continue to find expression in local governance and beyond. The controversy also raises broader questions about the responsibilities of elected officials regarding inflammatory rhetoric and the impact of international conflicts on local community relations. While Martinez and the DSA have not provided substantive responses to requests for comment, the ongoing situation continues to illustrate the challenges of navigating these issues in diverse communities where global conflicts often have very local impacts.