The San Carlos City Council will meet to address a crucial issue affecting the community: the rise of hateful, antisemitic billboards targeting Israel and the Jewish community.
One of the most inflammatory billboards along Highway 101 South reads, “Stopping genocide is not anti-Semitic,” paired with the image of an injured child. This message falsely accuses Israel of genocide, using emotionally charged imagery to promote a deeply misleading narrative.
Funded by anti-Israel groups, the billboards weaponize free speech to promote harmful stereotypes and spread hate in an otherwise inclusive city.
''Stopping Genocide Is Not Anti-Semitic''
posted on a giant sign along highway in California, US to emphasize solidarity with Palestinians#HalaMadrid #دبي_الان #MONOCHROME #dubairain #ManchesterCity #GazaGenocides #IsraeliTerrorists pic.twitter.com/yN3jKenz7h— M. Sami TÜRKMENOĞLU (@muftusami) April 17, 2024
Local Jewish residents are already speaking out and taking action. Many, deeply disturbed by the rhetoric, raised over $30,000 to replace one offensive billboard with a neutral, pro-peace message that warns against terrorism.
But these hateful messages are persistent—anti-Israel organizations are actively planning additional billboards filled with more inflammatory, misleading rhetoric.
For Jewish and Israeli families, the hurtful messages threaten their safety and sense of belonging. For children especially, seeing such hateful, accusatory language is painful and damaging.
''Stopping Genocide Is Not Anti-Semitic''
A sign reminding Americans that Palestinian lives matter too was erected on a major highway in San Carlos, California, United States on April 16, 2024.
Credit: Anadolu Agency | #CeasefireNOW pic.twitter.com/MoYROdUQfR
— ilovesunnah (@ilovesunnaah) April 18, 2024
The council has both the authority and responsibility to ensure that San Carlos does not become a platform for divisive messages that disrupt the lives of its residents. Regulating billboard content, particularly non-commercial and inflammatory messaging, is essential to preserving San Carlos’s values of respect and inclusivity.
Please email the San Carlos City Council to take a stand against these hate-fueled billboards. Demand that they protect all residents from targeted, antisemitic messages.