From California to Sydney, extremist ideology shields terror while Israel is scapegoated for Jewish bloodshed.
A far-left mayor in California is under intense pressure to resign after amplifying antisemitic conspiracy theories that blamed Israel for the massacre of 15 Jews at a Hanukkah gathering in Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
Eduardo Martinez, mayor of Richmond and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, reposted claims alleging the Bondi terror attack was a “false flag” operation—suggesting, without evidence, that an Israeli soldier could have been responsible. One post asserted that “paid actors” had staged anti-Jewish attacks in Australia, while another grotesquely claimed that “the root cause of antisemitism is the behavior of Israel & Israelis.”
The Jewish Community Relations Council swiftly condemned the mayor’s conduct, warning that his repeated dissemination of falsehoods endangered Jewish communities. “Such rhetoric is dangerously antisemitic, deeply offensive, and wholly unacceptable—particularly from a sitting mayor,” the council wrote, stressing that words from public officials can incite real-world harm.
After public backlash, Martinez deleted the posts and issued an apology on LinkedIn. Critics, however, dismissed it as inadequate. Former Los Angeles City Council candidate Sam Yebri said Martinez has “repeatedly trafficked in the worst antisemitism imaginable,” placing Jewish residents at risk. A local rabbi echoed the concern, stating plainly that this was not policy critique but hatred of Jews.
The controversy follows earlier incidents. In August, Martinez appeared publicly wearing apparel calling for “death to the IDF” and openly aligned himself with Hamas rhetoric—further eroding confidence in his leadership.
For Israel and Jews worldwide, the episode exposes a disturbing pattern: radical ideologies that excuse or deny Islamist terror by blaming Jews. When elected officials legitimize such lies, they normalize antisemitism, embolden extremists, and undermine democratic values. Israel’s insistence on confronting terror—not rationalizing it—stands in stark contrast.
