“Martinez has consistently and repeatedly trafficked in the worst antisemitism imaginable, and now has put the lives of his Jewish constituents in jeopardy,” Yebri told The Post.
Rabbi Dean Kertesz, a recently retired longtime rabbi of Temple Beth El in Richmond, who describes himself as both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian, also labeled Martinez’s actions as blatant “hatred of Jews.”
“My first reaction is anger,” Kertesz said.
“What we’re seeing is not legitimate criticism of Israeli policy. It’s hatred of Jews. And that’s where this road leads.”
A Bay Area Jewish advocacy organization is calling for Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinezâs resignation, accusing him of spreading conspiracy theories about a deadly terror attack in Sydney, Australia. Leon Kunstenaar The Bay Area Jewish community is so concerned about rising antisemitism that they have formed a new political advocacy organization.
It was launched last summer in response to what leaders described as a growing sense that traditional approaches were no longer enough.
The group was structured for political muscle — free to lobby, pressure lawmakers and engage in hard-nosed advocacy — a sharp break from the cautious, charity-only approach that has long defined many Jewish institutions.
Eduardo Martinez, Mayor of Richmond, CA, holding “Vote Eduardo Martinez For Mayor” campaign signs. “During this unprecedented and uncertain moment for Bay Area Jews, it is crucial that our community feels safe, heard and understood,” Neal Rubin, president of BAJA, told The Post.
“BAJA is an important new resource that will allow us to build real influence with lawmakers and advocate forcefully for our shared values.”
Jonathan Mintzer, the organization’s director, warned that antisemitism is no longer lurking in the shadows – but surfacing in mainstream politics and public office.
Mintzer insisted Mayor Martinez’s response exposed a deeper breakdown — not just poor judgment, but a failure of accountability.
Martinez, he said, should confront “what a real apology actually means,” including acknowledging why the posts were harmful, how they stoked fear, and how rhetoric that demonizes Jews and Israelis can lay the groundwork for real-world violence.
Jeremy Russell, director of marketing and communications at Bay Area Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) , said that since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, Richmond’s City Council — including members aligned with the DSA — has increasingly drawn the Israel-Hamas war into municipal governance.
JCRC sent an open letter stating “Antisemitic” Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez must resign. This even culminated in a formal resolution declaring the city’s support and solidarity with the Palestinian people of Gaza.
Jewish leaders say the vote didn’t land in a vacuum. Instead, it amplified a growing sense of isolation and unease among Jewish residents, who watched an international conflict take center stage in local government chambers.
“This is something we felt we had to do,” Russell said of the newly formed advocacy group. “There’s a real perception that this is getting worse.”
This is a particular concern Russell has with Martinez.
“This didn’t start with one post,” he said. “We’ve engaged with the mayor and the city council before. We realized we were getting nowhere.”
Richmond Vice Mayor Eduardo Martinez speaking into a microphone at a homeless encampment press conference. MediaNews Group via Getty Images 
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