EXCLUSIVE: Irvine vice mayor resigns from Rotary leadership over new president’s alleged Jew-hatred

Irvine, California Vice Mayor James Mai resigned from the Rotary Club of Orange County L.A. and its foundation due to the installation of former Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan as president. Mai cited concerns, shared by Jewish groups, regarding Khan's alleged antisemitic social media posts. Jewish Community Action Network, Israeli-American Council, and Jewish Federation of Orange County urged the club not to install Khan, alleging she spread "antisemitic blood libels" and blamed Israel for atrocities. Mai stated, "I don’t want to be involved in a group that is being led by someone who’s saying antisemitic things." He also noted an increase in hate crimes in Orange County, with Jews being targets of 24% of reported incidents in 2024. Mai, whose adoptive father helped liberate Nazi death camps, emphasized his personal commitment to fighting hate, stating, "I grew up fighting hate."