The Richmond Mayor is facing growing political pressure after reposting social media content that Jewish groups say crossed a clear line into anti-Semitism, igniting outrage well beyond Northern California. Richmond, CA Mayor Eduardo Martinez is now the subject of public resignation calls following revelations that he shared posts labeling Australia’s Bondi Beach terrorist attack an Israeli “false flag” and blaming Israel for rising anti-Semitism.
In an open letter, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Bay Area condemned the conduct in blunt terms. “Such rhetoric is dangerously antisemitic, deeply offensive, and wholly unacceptable—particularly coming from a sitting mayor,” the letter stated. The group added that Martinez has “shown to be antisemitic and unfit to hold office,” and urged him to step down.
Among the reposted content was a claim stating, “The root cause of antisemitism is the behaviour of Israel & Israelis.” Another described a Bondi Beach Hanukkah celebration as a “performative assertion of dominance,” adding, “Hanukkah, traditionally a time of personal and private reflection, has in recent years been appropriated by Jewish Zionist organisations and weaponised as a political tool.” Martinez amplified the post by adding, “What are your thoughts?”
Although the Richmond Mayor later said he misread the posts, he doubled down on assigning blame. “What I read is Israel and the Israelis are causing the rise in anti-Semitism and there has been a rise, and I think it’s because of the genocide that’s taking place in Palestine,” Martinez said.
The controversy follows a pattern. After Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Martinez backed a resolution accusing Israel of “ethnic cleansing” and “collective punishment,” without mentioning Hamas. Earlier this year, he said support for Hamas was “complicated” and wore a hat calling for death to the Israel Defense Forces.
“Taken together, these actions reflect a consistent and deeply troubling disregard for the safety and dignity of Jewish people,” the JCRC wrote, warning that the Richmond Mayor’s behavior “erode[s] public trust.”
