The state agency that investigates discrimination complaints for Olympia and Tumwater residents is operating with multiple vacancies after Commissioner Luc Jasmin resigned amid backlash over antisemitic comments he made during a commission meeting last year.

Jasmin, a Spokane pastor and accountant appointed by then-Gov. Jay Inslee in June 2023, submitted his resignation in early July.

The Washington State Standard reported the departure July 6. His term was set to run through June 17, leaving more than two years for Gov. Bob Ferguson to fill.

The five-member Washington State Human Rights Commission, headquartered at 711 S. Capitol Way in Olympia, enforces the state's Law Against Discrimination under RCW 49.60.

The agency handles complaints covering employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, and insurance discrimination. With Jasmin gone and former chair Jeff Sbaih's term having expired June 17, at least two of the commission's five seats are vacant.

A third seat held by Commissioner Hân Trần may also have lapsed; her term was set to expire June 17 and it is unclear whether she has been reappointed. It is also unclear whether the remaining members constitute a quorum sufficient to conduct commission business.

During a March 2025 meeting where the commission discussed a resolution condemning antisemitism, Jasmin said Jewish people are "always crying" and questioned whether the commission was "under duress" to approve the measure.

Video of the meeting was posted to YouTube by the commission more than a year after it occurred, triggering public backlash in June 2026.

The commission approved the antisemitism resolution on April 17, 2025. The non-binding measure, submitted by Washington Jewish Scholars and Community Leaders, "unequivocally condemns all forms of antisemitism" while noting that criticism of Israeli government policy or support for Palestinian rights does not necessarily constitute antisemitism.

In his letter, Jasmin apologized but characterized his departure as forced by public pressure rather than voluntary.

"I am stepping down to appease those who want me gone," Jasmin wrote. "I am asking those who believe in resolution truly to reach out."

He described the pressure campaign as "retribution" and said the goal appeared to be "punishment, not understanding." Jasmin also said he had received threats since the video surfaced.

StandWithUs Northwest, a pro-Israel advocacy organization, had led a campaign urging Ferguson to remove Jasmin. Executive Director Randy Kessler said Jasmin's comments demonstrated "a disturbing lack of sensitivity" with no place on a human rights body.

Former commission chair Jeff Sbaih, an attorney with Palestinian parents who led the panel when Jasmin made the remarks, told the Washington State Standard the comments "burned me to my core."

State Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, said the commission "is supposed to combat bigotry, not espouse it."

Ferguson told the Washington State Standard he would appoint a replacement "soon" and encouraged interested residents to apply through the governor's boards and commissions portal at governor.wa.gov.

The appointment requires Washington State Senate confirmation before the new commissioner can be seated.

No specific timeline has been announced for when the replacement will be named.