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Martinez wrote that the “root cause of antisemitism is the behavior of Israel and Israelis.”
By Shula Rosen
Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez appears headed out of office after finishing behind two challengers in California’s June 2 primary election, bringing to a close a campaign marked by controversy over his calling the Bondi Beach terrorist attack a false flag operation.
Preliminary results released by Contra Costa County showed Martinez receiving 19.50% of the vote. City Councilwoman Claudia Jimenez led the race with 37.55%, while Golden Gate Park Gardens culture director Ahmad Anderson captured 28.82%. The results position Jimenez and Anderson for a November runoff.
Martinez’s defeat follows months of criticism over statements and social media activity that drew condemnation from Jewish organizations, elected officials and political opponents.
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of San Francisco hailed the outcome, describing it as a rejection of antisemitism in public life.
“This result is a victory for everyone who stood with the Jewish community in confronting antisemitism and demanding accountability,” the organization said. “We are grateful to the thousands of community members, allies, and elected leaders who spoke out and refused to stay silent.”
More than 80 Bay Area elected officials had previously called on Martinez to resign after he shared posts on LinkedIn promoting conspiracy theories about the December Bondi Beach terrorist attack, in which two terrorists murdered 15 participants at an Australian Hanukkah event.
Among the material Martinez circulated were claims that the attack had been a “false flag” operation and assertions linking one of the attackers to the IDF.
Other posts stated that Hanukkah had been “weaponized as a political tool” and argued that the “root cause of antisemitism is the behavior of Israel and Israelis.”
Martinez later apologized, stating that antisemitism predated the establishment of Israel and arguing that “we should not conflate Zionism with Judaism.”
Additional criticism followed his participation in the 2nd annual People’s Conference in Palestine in September.
During his remarks, Martinez said, “If Palestine were a schoolyard playground, I would be a Palestinian. And that part of me, that part of me that couldn’t endure the abuse anymore, would be Hamas.”
Anderson, one of the candidates advancing to the runoff, publicly criticized Martinez’s conduct, writing that “The hate speech that Mayor Martinez spread has no place in the City of Pride and Purpose.”
Martinez avoided formal censure earlier this year when the City Council adopted an atonement plan that included meetings with Jewish leaders and antisemitism education training.
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