San Diego, CA – An antisemitic rant by a member of the San Diego County Human Relations Commission has drawn sharp criticism from the local Jewish Communiy.
Commissioner Khaliq Raufi said during a meeting on July 18 that he had read “a few verses” in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, he called it “the book of Jews”, and concluded that “it states go kill Palestinians.” He claimed this is currently taught in synagogues.
“Are you serious?” exclaimed someone in attendance during the meeting.
Deuteronomy recounts the Jews wandering in the desert after fleeing Egypt and their ultimate entry into the promised land of Israel millennia ago.
Raufi’s comments were reported as a “hate incident” to California’s new CA vs. Hate hotline.
Three Jewish organizations issued a statement Friday saying Raufi’s comments were hateful and appalling.
“We are appalled that the commissioner’s statement was made in a body established ‘to promote positive human relations, respect and the integrity of every individual regardless of gender, religion, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or citizenship status,’” said the statement issued by Fabienne Perlov, regional director of Anti-Defamation League; Sara E. Brown, regional director of the American Jewish Committee; and Heidi Gantwerk, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Diego.
Raufi is an Afghan refugee who arrived in the United States in 1992. He was appointed by Supervisor Joel Anderson. A spokesperson in the supervisor’s office said Anderson was studying video of the incident.
The 31-member commission is intended to promote positive human relations, respect, and the integrity of every individual regardless of gender, religion, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, or citizenship status.
