Antisemitic chants broke out at a political event hosted by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, after demonstrators reportedly shifted from chanting “tax the rich” to “tax the Jews,” prompting condemnation from city leaders, reports The Jerusalem Post.
The incident occurred on Wednesday during an event organised by Lurie and District Five Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, alongside labour leaders and workers. The gathering was intended to announce a plan to create jobs and expand housing opportunities in the city.
According to Lurie, individuals present at the event initially chanted “tax the rich” but then altered the slogan to “tax the Jews.”
“Suggesting that Jews are wealthy is a tired trope, and targeting our community at an event focused on creating economic opportunity for San Franciscans is decidedly antisemitic,” Lurie wrote in a statement posted on social media.
The mayor added that he would not tolerate antisemitism or any form of hatred, stating that such bigotry “does not belong in San Francisco.”
The phrase “tax the Jews” draws on a long-standing antisemitic stereotype portraying Jews as disproportionately wealthy or financially powerful. Jewish advocacy groups frequently warn that such rhetoric reinforces harmful conspiracy theories and can contribute to hostility toward Jewish communities.
San Francisco’s Jewish community has faced several antisemitic incidents in recent years. In December last year, a dumpster outside the San Francisco Hillel building was set on fire in what authorities investigated as suspected arson. A suspect was later arrested. The fire occurred while students were inside preparing for Shabbat.
The same Hillel building had previously been vandalised with the word “Khaybar,” a reference to a 7th-century battle in which Jewish communities were attacked. The chant “Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews, the army of Mohammed will return” is sometimes heard at anti-Israel demonstrations and is widely viewed as a threat against Jews.
The latest incident adds to broader concerns about rising antisemitic rhetoric in public spaces across the United States since October 2023. City officials have not announced any arrests related to the chants at Wednesday’s event.
Photo credit: REUTERS/Manuel Orbegozo
More News
