Richmond, California’s mayor, Eduardo Martinez, has been confronted with intense criticism and demands for his resignation after he shared a series of social media posts that Jewish community groups and others condemned as antisemitic in the wake of the deadly shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney.

Martinez’s LinkedIn activity included reposted material suggesting that the attack, in which fifteen people died, was a “false flag” operation and implying that Israel or Israelis bore responsibility for antisemitism and the tragedy.

These assertions echoed harmful conspiracy narratives rather than verified facts about the incident, which Australian authorities have said was a terrorist act motivated by Islamist extremism.

Bay Area Jewish leaders, led by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Bay Area, issued an open letter urging Martinez to step down, stating that public officials have an obligation to uphold community safety and trust.

They described the reposted claims as deeply offensive and dangerous, arguing that they amplify antisemitic tropes that can contribute to fear and division.

The council emphasised that elected representatives must exercise caution and responsibility in their public communications, particularly when addressing matters that affect vulnerable communities.

Martinez responded to the backlash by deleting the contested posts and issuing apologies on LinkedIn, acknowledging that he had shared the content without full understanding and without intending to reflect official city positions.

He reiterated that antisemitism existed long before the founding of the state of Israel and stressed that Zionism should not be conflated with Judaism, while also framing the posts as personal mistakes.

Some local officials and community members have accepted his apologies and called for dialogue, while others, including a fellow city councillor, questioned whether his responses sufficiently disavowed the underlying harmful narratives.

The controversy follows a broader pattern of Martinez’s outspoken criticisms of Israeli policies and involvement in pro-Palestinian events, including previous remarks and gestures that drew scrutiny from Jewish groups.

Plaintiffs and critics say these actions have contributed to a perception that his rhetoric has, at times, crossed from political critique into territory that undermines Jewish residents’ sense of safety and inclusion.

As pressure mounts, the debate over Martinez’s future leadership reflects wider tensions in local politics about accountability, free expression, and the impact of global conflicts on community cohesion in the United States.