Rotary International faces criticism after appointing former Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan as president of its Orange County branch amid allegations that she shared antisemitic content on social media. Khan assumed the leadership role in May despite prior warnings from local Jewish organizations and community figures who highlighted her inflammatory posts.

The Jewish Community Action Network, the Jewish Federation of Orange County, and the Israeli-American Council have jointly called on Rotary to conduct a formal review of Khan’s conduct. In a letter addressed to Rotary District 5320, these groups argued that Khan’s social media activity breached the organization’s ethical standards and contradicted its values as outlined in the Rotarian Code of Conduct and the Four-Way Test.

The letter alleges that Khan propagated longstanding antisemitic blood libels by sharing content accusing Israeli officials of heinous acts, including labeling them “pedophiles” and “cannibals.” Among the posts cited was one sharing an Al Jazeera article that accused Israel of bombing a girls’ school in Iran and another claiming that “handcuffed babies were found in a mass grave,” which Khan attributed to Israeli actions. The groups described such statements as “false, incendiary charges against Jews” that have historically incited violence.

Additionally, the groups contended that during her tenure as Irvine mayor, Khan did not take adequate measures to prevent the harassment and intimidation of Jewish residents during heated City Hall meetings focused on Israel-related topics.

In response, Khan has maintained that her remarks targeted the Israeli government and military rather than the Israeli public or Jewish people in general. However, Rabbi Samuel Heiman, executive director of the Jewish Community Action Network, rejected this distinction. He argued that equating Israelis with such accusations ultimately serves as a stand-in for antisemitic implications, since many members of the local Jewish community are supporters of Israel.

Rotary International Director Wyn Spiller emphasized that Rotary is a nonpolitical, nonreligious global organization, but noted that local clubs operate independently under their own elected boards. Spiller explained that while Rotary International provides guidance on members’ conduct outside the organization, decisions regarding leadership appointments are the responsibility of each individual club.

The appointment has drawn sharp criticism from members of the Jewish community. Sam Yebri, a Los Angeles attorney with family roots in Iran, condemned the decision, stating that the Rotary Club of Orange County has “disgraced itself” by promoting a figure with “a long record of promoting virulent antisemitism.” He added that the move has betrayed Jewish members of the organization, normalized the dehumanization of Jews, and suggested that antisemitism is acceptable within community leadership roles.

Requests for comment from Rotary International, the Rotary Club of Orange County, and Farrah Khan were made but have not been responded to.