"That rings hollow considering Martinez's long history of taking actions that have also stoked fear in the Jewish community. At a conference in August, Martinez wore a hat with the letters DDTTIDF, an acronym calling for Death, death to the IDF. He spoke of an affinity for Hamas, a U.S. designated terrorist organization, whose charter calls for the deaths of all Jews worldwide."
"Previously, he oversaw the passing of a resolution two weeks after Oct. 7, 2023, condemning Israel and affirming Richmond's support and solidarity with the Palestinian people of Gaza. While most Jews feel an affinity for Israel, at the same time, many have complicated feelings about how the Israeli government operates. Protesting against the Israeli government regarding actions of the Israeli government is fair game, similar to our own protests in America against our government."
"Posting that the mass shooting of Jews celebrating Hanukkah in Sydney was a false-flag operation by Israel to gain sympathy; or that Israel and Israelis are the cause of antisemitism; or that Jewish religious celebrations in public spaces (or even simple Menorah displays) are really attempts to dominate neutral spaces all constitute antisemitism. Martinez reposted all those false and dangerous tropes."
Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez apologized after reposting antisemitic and conspiracy tropes about a mass shooting of Jews celebrating Hanukkah in Sydney, claiming ignorance and that he inadvertently spread factually inaccurate content. The apology is contrasted with a history of actions that have alarmed the Jewish community, including wearing a hat bearing the letters DDTTIDF (calling for 'Death, death to the IDF'), expressing affinity for Hamas, and overseeing a council resolution condemning Israel and affirming solidarity with Palestinians shortly after Oct. 7, 2023. The reposted claims framed the Sydney attack as a false-flag, blamed Israel for antisemitism, and labeled public Jewish displays as attempts to dominate neutral spaces. Locally elected officials carry responsibility to unite communities rather than inflame divisions.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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