By Danielle Arfin
Boston-area activist Calla Walsh, previously active in progressive civic organizing and campus activism, has come under renewed scrutiny after her recent participation in a delegation to Tehran. Footage and statements from the trip have heightened alarm among Massachusetts’ Jewish communities, raising urgent questions about extremist alliances, antisemitic rhetoric, and public accountability.
In July 2025, Walsh traveled to Iran as part of a delegation hosted by the regime’s state broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). Footage shared by Iran International shows Walsh praising the event as “the greatest honor of my life.” She referred to the Iranian regime as being under “genocidal siege by the United States and the Zionist entity” and joined chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.” The event was affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department. Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran, described the delegation as part of Iran’s broader influence operation targeting Western activists. “These are carefully choreographed efforts to legitimize a regime that incites hatred,” he warned.
Walsh’s appearance in Tehran has shaken many in the Boston Jewish community. She had previously organized a controversial campaign mapping Jewish institutions, which drew criticism from security experts and Jewish organizations. Her latest actions have renewed concerns that anti-Israel activism is increasingly intersecting with regimes that promote antisemitism. “This is not just about foreign policy. It’s about the safety and well-being of Jewish families in Boston,” said a synagogue board member from Brookline, who requested anonymity due to security concerns. “When someone from our city stands before Iranian-made missiles and chants threats against Jews, it sends a chilling message.”
The Brookline Police Department recently released surveillance footage related to antisemitic vandalism at a local synagogue. While there is no established connection between Walsh and the incident, community leaders say the atmosphere is tense and that normalization of such rhetoric increases risks.
Walsh has previously been associated with Democratic-aligned causes and youth voter outreach in Massachusetts. Her recent trip has led to quiet discomfort among some of her former political allies. One local political staffer, speaking on background, said, “This puts everyone who once stood next to her in a difficult position. We can’t afford to ignore what this means” (Jewish Journal).
Despite growing concern, prominent Massachusetts elected officials have yet to publicly address Walsh’s alignment with a hostile foreign regime. Advocacy organizations are urging them to speak out. As of publication, Senator Ed Markey’s office has not responded to a Wingate News request for comment.“This should alarm anyone who cares about human rights,” said Yael Lerman, Director of the StandWithUs Saidoff Legal Department (StandWithUs). “These activists are aligning with a regime that persecutes women, LGBTQ+ people, and minorities while calling for the destruction of Israel.” As Jewish communities in Boston and across the country grapple with escalating antisemitism, Walsh’s conduct in Tehran has become more than a flashpoint—it’s a symbol of a deeper shift. When leaders or influencers align themselves with violent authoritarian regimes, their words can reverberate far beyond foreign borders. As one Jewish civic leader put it, “We must be vigilant when hate is normalized and when those who should speak up choose to remain silent,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). “It emboldens extremists and makes our communities less safe.”
