A shameful pick for Rotary president in Orange County

Rotary International is a well-known service organization with a famous ethical code, the Four-Way Test, that stresses honesty, fairness, goodwill and benefit to society.But the Rotary Club of Orange County LA has defied that code by installing as its president Farrah Khan, a former politician who is infamous for her incendiary remarks about Israel.Khan, who was the mayor of Irvine for two terms, from 2020-2024, used a social media account after she left office to post what The Forward called “conspiracy-tinged anti-Israel messages.”These reportedly included calling Israeli government officials and military personnel “pedophiles” and “cannibals,” and claiming there was evidence that Jewish “elites” were “eating humans” and “engaging in pedophilia.” Khan also attacked Zionism, the belief held by the overwhelming majority of American Jews that the Jewish people have the right to self-determination in their historic homeland.When the Jewish community of Orange County warned the local Rotary Club that it was about to make a mistake in elevating Farrah Khan to serve as its leader, we were effectively told that her history of antisemitic rhetoric was not disqualifying.We asked Rotary leadership to simply apply its own Code of Conduct and Four-Way Test — Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? — before installing her.District leadership told us they lacked the power to intervene.

Days later, Khan was sworn in.We’re in a dangerous moment.The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reports that there are an average of 17 antisemitic incidents a day.

When you divide these alarming statistics by state, California ranks second highest.Here in Orange County, we feel it in our daily lives.

A recent study revealed that 63% of Jewish adults in Orange County reported avoiding Jewish activities out of a fear of antisemitism.A community member’s daughter, meanwhile, wa...