Former Beverly Hills Mayor Mirisch Rebukes Raman Over Gaza Claim

The Israeli-American Civic Action Network has sharply criticized Los Angeles City Councilmember and mayoral candidate Nithya Raman over remarks she made about Israel and the war in Gaza during an August 30 candidate forum.

According to ICAN, Raman told attendees at the Islamic Center of Southern California that American tax dollars are "funding a genocide" in Gaza and described that assertion as "truth." The Muslim Public Affairs Council had promoted the event as a nonpartisan Los Angeles mayoral forum organized with MAS PACE and the Islamic Center of Southern California.

Among the strongest responses came from former Beverly Hills City Councilmember and three-time Mayor John Mirisch, who now serves as ICAN's Chief Policy Officer.

Mirisch completed 17 years and three months on the Beverly Hills City Council in July, ending the longest council tenure in the city's history. During his final remarks from the dais, he identified combating antisemitism and supporting Israel as issues he intended to continue addressing after leaving City Hall.

In ICAN's August 31 statement, Mirisch accused Raman of promoting anti-Zionist rhetoric that he said fuels hostility toward Israelis and Jewish communities. He called on Raman to apologize and withdraw from the Los Angeles mayoral contest.

"Nithya Raman should apologize, drop out of the LA mayoral race, and resign her seat on the LA city council immediately," Mirisch said.

ICAN also challenged Raman's use of the term genocide, pointing to the United States government's position in the international case brought against Israel. In a March 2026 filing before the International Court of Justice, the United States said allegations that Israel is committing genocide are false.

The genocide allegation remains the subject of an ongoing case brought by South Africa against Israel before the International Court of Justice. The court has issued provisional measures during the proceedings but has not issued a final judgment determining whether Israel has committed genocide. Israel has consistently rejected the allegation.

ICAN's statement also criticized Raman's record on homelessness and city governance, arguing that Los Angeles leaders should place greater attention on deaths and government failures occurring within the city.

Mirisch's involvement gives the dispute a direct Beverly Hills connection, continuing his outspoken advocacy on Israel and antisemitism after nearly two decades in elected office.