Richmond Mayor Under Fire For Sharing Conspiracy Theories About 2024 Bondi Beach Massacre

Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez is under fire for sharing conspiracy theories about the 2024 Bondi Beach massacre on social media. The mayor’s posts, which included claims that the mass shooting was a “false flag” operation and that it was carried out by a “former IDF soldier,” sparked widespread outrage. Martinez has since deleted some of the most inflammatory posts and issued an apology, stating that he acted without thinking and that his opinions do not reflect those of his office or the city of Richmond. The mayor’s social media activity has been scrutinized, particularly his frequent criticisms of Israel, which he often shares on LinkedIn. Some of his recent posts drew rebukes online, and a meme he reposted, then deleted, suggested that “the root cause of antisemitism is the behaviour of Israel ⁘ Israelis.” Martinez responded by acknowledging that antisemitism predates the creation of the state of Israel and emphasizing that Zionism and Judaism are distinct beliefs.

The Jewish Community Relations Council Bay Area was among the organizations to condemn Martinez’s posts, expressing their disapproval on their official X account. The incident has raised questions about the mayor’s judgment and sparked calls for his resignation.