Rotary International is facing criticism for appointing Farrah Khan, the former mayor of Irvine, California, as president of its Orange County chapter. The decision has drawn condemnation from Jewish community organizations who cite Khan's alleged sharing of social media posts containing antisemitic rhetoric.
Multiple Jewish groups, including the Jewish Community Action Network, the Jewish Federation of Orange County, and the Israeli-American Council, have written to Rotary International expressing concerns. They allege that Khan's posts, which reportedly referred to Israeli officials as "pedophiles" and "cannibals," violate the organization's ethical standards, including its "Four-Way Test" which promotes truthfulness, fairness, goodwill, and benefit for all.
These groups claim Khan's statements echo historical antisemitic tropes, specifically "blood libels," which have historically incited violence against Jewish people. The organizations pointed to specific instances where Khan allegedly shared an Al Jazeera article about an alleged Israeli bombing and a post about "handcuffed babies" found in a mass grave, which she blamed on Israel.
The controversy also includes allegations that while serving as Irvine mayor, Khan did not adequately address harassment and intimidation of Jewish residents during City Hall meetings concerning Israel. Khan has reportedly stated her remarks were directed at Israeli government officials and the military, not the general Israeli public. However, Rabbi Samuel Heiman, executive director of the Jewish Community Action Network, rejected this explanation, arguing that such language is often used as a proxy to demonize Jewish people.
Rotary International Director Wyn Spiller stated that while Rotary International is a non-political and non-religious organization, individual clubs operate as independent member units. He added that Rotary International provides guidance to clubs based on Rotary's values when members' external political activities raise concerns, but decisions regarding club leadership remain with the individual clubs.
Sam Yebri, a Los Angeles employment attorney whose Jewish family fled Iran, criticized the Rotary Club's decision, stating it "disgraced itself" by elevating someone with a history of promoting antisemitism. He asserted that this action normalizes the dehumanization of Jewish people and suggests that antisemitism is compatible with community leadership.
Community leader Dori Benami, an attorney who ran for Congress, indicated that the controversy has caused him to reconsider joining Rotary. He emphasized the importance of civic organizations carefully vetting their leaders and holding them to high standards, especially given the rise in antisemitic incidents nationwide.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitic incidents in the United States reached a record high in 2024, with a significant increase over the past five years. In Los Angeles County, anti-Jewish hate crimes constituted 80% of all religion-based hate crimes in the past year. Nationally, one in three American Jews reported experiencing antisemitism in the past year.