This story was updated to include a response from Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
The Moraga mayor on Tuesday afternoon announced that 73 current and former elected officials from Contra Costa County and the greater Bay Area have signed a letter saying they’re “deeply troubled” over Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez’s public statements about the Bondi Beach attack.
The letter, sent to Richmondside by Mayor Kerry Hillis, was referring to LinkedIn posts Martinez posted last week and later deleted that discussed conspiracies about the Bondi Beach attack. It says these statements have “harmed local residents and undermined public trust” and calls for Martinez to take “immediate, concrete” steps to repair the harm and restore trust, including:
- Engaging privately in dialogue and learning with leading community rabbis and local Jewish elected leaders;
- Issuing a truly restorative, public apology that acknowledges why his statements were harmful; and
- Hosting antisemitism education and training for city leadership and staff at the suggestion of community leaders and Jewish officials, and adopting a resolution condemning these remarks and affirming that hateful rhetoric has no place in Richmond.
“Hateful rhetoric such as this harms not only those directly targeted, but also the integrity of civic life on which all communities rely — especially when spread by those elected to lead and govern,” the letter says, adding that if he is unwilling or unable to take these steps, “he should step down from his role as mayor in the best interest of the community.”
Community members seem split on what Martinez’s next steps should be. Supporters who say they’ve known Martinez for years say he’s a good mayor who made a mistake and should be given a chance to make things right. Others, including a number of political candidates lining up for the Richmond City Council’s 2026 election, are calling for him to be censured at the next council meeting, set for Jan. 6, or to step down.
Martinez has apologized on social media, writing in a statement Sunday that he deeply regrets his actions and is “committed to doing better.” He said this will include “serious personal reflection and meeting directly with members of the communities I have harmed to listen, learn, and understand their perspectives firsthand. This is necessary, and I take it seriously.”
Martinez told Richmondside Tuesday night that most of the things the letter requests are already done or in progress.
“I’m in contact with several local rabbis and leaders from other Jewish organizations. I will coordinate with them about how much they want to include the press on our conversations about next steps,” he wrote via text.
He pointed out that Richmond’s elected leaders hadn’t signed it, “hopefully because they see the efforts are already underway.”
It appears from his Facebook page that he’s staying active with his mayoral duties, posting pictures from attending “a few community events,” over the weekend, including a Christmas toy giveway, and thanking Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda for attending that event as well.
Zepeda has stated that the council may consider censuring Martinez and that Martinez should reflect on his actions and consider that if he wants to express his private views he shouldn’t remain in office.
Chabad of Richmond’s response to mayor: “We’re creating a new home in the heart of Richmond”
Meanwhile, the Chabad of Richmond, which also refers to itself as the Chabad Jewish Center, on Monday addressed the controversy on Facebook, with Rabbi Yitzchok Wagner saying its “response,” is to create a new permanent home in the center of Richmond via the purchase of a property. The temple is currently on Vale Road in San Pablo.
He wrote that many in the community have reached out to express worry, anger and deep hurt, saying they “share those feelings.”
“Seeing the Mayor of Richmond use his public platform to circulate hateful antisemitic tropes and remarks was deeply painful,” Wagner wrote. “It was especially jarring given the timing — coming on the heels of a brutal antisemitic attack at a Menorah lighting in Sydney that claimed the lives of so many innocent Jews.
“This crossed a line that goes far beyond politics. Antisemitism — in any form — must be named and rejected unequivocally. When such language is echoed by those entrusted with leadership, it legitimizes hatred, endangers communities, and undermines the basic safety and dignity every resident deserves.”
Wagner said Jewish history teaches that when their people are challenged, they respond by “strengthening Jewish life openly and proudly.”
“That is why we are choosing to respond in the most Jewish way possible — by building.”
The post says the temple, which says it serves the Jewish community of Richmond, San Pablo, El Sobrante, Pinole and Hercules, is in contract to purchase a permanent Jewish home and invited supporters to contribute to a fundraiser that’s seeking to raise $540,000.
“This will be a place where Jewish life can flourish without apology — a home for learning, prayer, celebration, and community. A space where every Jew can feel safe, visible, and deeply rooted,” Wagner wrote.
You don’t have to be Jewish to have been hurt by his posts. It seems like the repair they’re suggesting walking him through seems like a way to get away with his posts. Frankly, if he has to all the bullet points at the top of this article, he is not fit to lead Richmond in all its diversity.
What about all the other Richmond residents, will he meet privately with us. Our family feels very hurt and betrayed that by someone who politically leading our great city.
Thank you, Rabbi Yitzchok. You have always been a source of warmth, light and joy. All we want is for people—including us—is to learn, reflect, and grow in understanding. Congratulations on the new temple!
I like this article because it includes a healing and an educational component. To endlessly pillory and seek punishment for someone as the AJRC has done is not productive and just makes things worse. Anyone who knows Eduardo, knows he is not antisemitic. He made some mistakes and has made I believe a heart felt apology.
Still, I would like to see education and healing extended not just to the Jewish community, but for our Black , Latino , and Asian neighbors as well. For the most part we do get along, however programs of dialogue and learning are needed.
Finally, as long as apologies and more importantly amends are in order ,the JCRC should do both. Their pro- Zionist stance they must know has been at the Palestinian expense and has lead to the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinian innocents.