Statement on 2022 Electioneering and Antisemitism in Los Angeles


November 3, 2022

Antisemitism is a serious problem facing our community in Greater Los Angeles, throughout California, and coast-to-coast across America. The election in Los Angeles, in particular, has seen extreme candidates express fringe perspectives and promote policies that would be damaging to our Israeli-American communities. These candidates are dangerous, and we are actively educating our voters about the serious threat they pose.

However, we have also seen opportunistic candidates from both parties use insinuation or outright false claims of antisemitism as a platform to attack their opponents. These attacks are an unacceptable exploitation of a serious challenge facing our vulnerable communities.

This week, a mailer attacked Lindsey Horvath, one of our endorsed candidates, and used photographs of extremists displaying antisemitic messages over the 405 freeway. The independent expenditure behind this mailer, funded by the Los Angeles County Business Federation, the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, and other entities, is problematic for several reasons. 

First, it falsely implies Horvath supported the antisemitic 405 freeway demonstration. The mailer also prominently displays the extremist group’s website, facilitating the spread of their hate. And finally, the mailer targets and attacks members of our Israeli-American community for their history of supporting Horvath as a city councilmember. To make matters worse, this independent expenditure apparently targeted Jewish surnames when distributing this offensive mailer. 

This brand of electioneering is simply unacceptable. We call upon these candidate committees and independent expenditures to conduct proper due diligence before addressing issues with which they are unfamiliar and to refrain from exploiting the challenges facing vulnerable communities to score political points against opponents.

Horvath’s extensive record in support of our Israeli-American community and her efforts to combat antisemitism is clear. She has:

  1. Opposed the discriminatory boycott movement targeting Israel, Israelis, and the Jewish community,
  2. Supported Holocaust education and condemned Holocaust denial and distortion,
  3. Urged the State of California to rewrite the Ethnic Studies curriculum to remove antisemitic content,
  4. Supported the creation of a commission to advise State leaders on how best to combat antisemitism, and
  5. Established a comprehensive Jewish community safety and security plan,
  6. Led the effort to have the City of West Hollywood adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism and strongly supported the same initiative in the City of Los Angeles.

The Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN) in California is proud of our endorsement of former Mayor and West Hollywood councilmember Lindsey Horvath for Los Angeles County Supervisor. Horvath has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us over the years as we faced challenges. We categorically reject any assertion, insinuation, or implication that she has been anything other than a staunch ally to our community.

The Israeli-American Civic Action Network is dedicated to empowering Israeli immigrants and American allies to create change for a better America, a more secure Israel, and a stronger U.S. – Israel alliance through advocacy education and civic action. Learn more at IsraelUSA.org.