Graffiti reading “Death to Israel” and “Intifada now” was sprayed on the campus of Northwestern University over the Passover holiday.
By Rachel Avraham
The campus of Northwestern University was defaced during the Passover holiday with antisemitic graffiti reading “Death to Israel,” “Intifada Now,” and the red triangle symbolism associated with the Hamas terror group, Haaretz reported. According to the report, University President Michael Schill wrote in a letter to students and staff that they are trying to identify the individuals responsible for the vandalism.
“The fact that these acts occurred during the commencement of the Passover holiday makes these disgusting statements all the more despicable,” Schill told Haaretz. “Antisemitic acts cannot and will not be tolerated at Northwestern, nor will vandalism or other violations of our policies on displays, demonstrations or conduct.”
“If these individuals are current Northwestern students, they will be immediately suspended and face full disciplinary proceedings under University policies, as well as criminal charges under the law,” Schill told the Times of Israel.
Schill also cited the school’s progress report last month on its efforts to combat campus antisemitism, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported. The report highlighted changes to the school’s policies on demonstrations, including a new policy that requires students to identify themselves by removing face masks or coverings when asked, as well as mandatory antisemitism training which launched in February.
“Hours before this vandalism took place, I hosted a seder in my home in celebration of Passover, at which we discussed that amid the many challenges we face as a University and as a society, there is optimism and hope for our days ahead,” Schill told the Jerusalem Post. “That remains true despite the actions of a few who work to erode that hope.”
The Daily Northwestern, the campus newspaper, reported that the graffiti had been cleaned off after it was reported at around 4 A.M. Michael Simon, the executive director of the campus’ Hillel branch, told the paper that “to see an upside-down red triangle on University Hall on the Northwestern campus, it feels like that’s where the terms like ‘egregious’ and ‘vile’ immediately come to mind.” Haaretz reported that the red triangle symbol is used in Hamas’ propaganda to designate the group’s targets.
“We are appalled by the vile and hateful graffiti and messages that appeared on University buildings and property,” Simon told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “This is especially painful as it occurred during Passover, a time when we are celebrating the Festival of Freedom with family and friends.”
Haaretz further reported that one of the buildings that was defaced was Kresge Centennial Hall, which houses some of the university’s liberal arts and social sciences departments. According to the report, the Chicago Jewish Alliance, a community organization that circulated photos of the incident, noted that the building also hosts the Holocaust Educational Foundation.
According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Students Supporting Israel at Northwestern, an unregistered pro-Israel group on campus, posted photos of the vandalism on Instagram, writing that the graffiti was “a direct threat to Jewish students’ safety and security at Northwestern.”
Photo from A.Davey: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_University#/media/File:Traditional_Northwestern_University_Hall,_June_1977_(2984002823).jpg
