Antisemitic conspiracy theories in California voter guide draw outrage from Jewish groups

The guide also included links to antisemitic websites, including the Goyim Defense League.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Jewish organizations protested a California voter guide distributed by the office of Shirley Weber after it included antisemitic conspiracy theories in a candidate statement, according to The Times of Israel.

The 64-page booklet was sent to households across the state with registered voters and contained information on candidates, policies and voting instructions. The controversy centers on a statement submitted by independent gubernatorial candidate Don J Grunmman.

The candidate’s entry included claims alleging Israel assassinated Charlie Kirk with the knowledge of the US government; that Israel murdered US sailors on the USS Liberty in 1967; that Israelis carried out the 9/11 attacks; and that Israel plans to “suitcase nuke” the United States. The statement also contained language describing non-Jews as subordinate.

“We are ‘goyim’ (less than human/animals/cattle) that they will enslave,” the statement says. “Talmud — their Bible — says Christ boiling in in [sic] Israel allowed/planned/promoted Hamas attack (they murdered their own people) to justify genocide and steal billion$.”

“Christian Zionism = soul poison. Talmudic ‘Judeo-Christian values’ don’t exist,” the statement said.

The guide also included links to antisemitic websites, including the Goyim Defense League.

Jewish groups responded in a letter sent Tuesday to Weber, condemning the inclusion of the material.

Signatories included JCAN, the Jewish Federation of Orange County, the Anti-Defamation League of Orange County and Long Beach, and the Israeli American Council.

“Millions of California voters received an official state publication containing content that should have been disqualified under the State’s own rules,” the letter said. “Because the Voter Information Guide is a government-issued document, its contents carry a degree of legitimacy and amplification that would not otherwise attach to such material in other forums.”

“By including a statement containing antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories in an official voter guide, the State has effectively provided a government platform for rhetoric that fuels division and undermines the safety and dignity of Jewish communities,” the letter said.

Guidelines from the secretary of state’s office state that candidate submissions “shall be limited to a recitation of the candidate’s own personal background and qualifications.”