Rotary allows ex-mayor accused of posting vile anti-Jewish hatred to keep top job

Rotary International is under fire for allowing former Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan to serve as president of the service organization’s Orange County branch — despite allegedly calling Israeli officials “pedophiles” and “cannibals.”Khan was given the top job in May despite warnings from local Jewish groups and community leaders calling attention to the vile antisemitic words.The Jewish Community Action Network, Jewish Federation of Orange County and Israeli-American Council have now written to Rotary saying she’s violated the group’s ethical standards with the inflammatory posts.“We respectfully ask that, prior to installing Ms.Khan as President, Rotary District 5320 conduct a formal review of whether Ms.

Khan’s conduct aligns with the Rotarian Code of Conduct and the Four-Way Test,” the groups wrote.The organizations alleged Khan’s posts echoed antisemitic blood libels, which the letter described as “false, incendiary charges against Jews” that have fueled violence for centuries.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story The groups said Khan made the accusations while sharing an Al Jazeera article alleging Israel bombed a girls’ school in Iran.

They also pointed to another post in which Khan claimed “handcuffed babies were found in a mass grave” and blamed Israel for the alleged atrocity.The letter also alleges that while serving as Irvine mayor, Khan failed to stop harassment and intimidation of Jewish residents during contentious City Hall meetings over Israel.Khan has claimed she referring to Israeli government officials and the military, not the Israeli public, in the posts.But Jewish Community Action Network executive director Rabbi Samuel Heiman rejected the explanation saying it’s “proxy for saying Jew.” “Mo...