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A spate of antisemitic vandalism in the New York City borough of Queens has left several synagogues and private homes defaced with swastikas and other hateful graffiti, according to local officials and Jewish community organizations. The incident, which occurred overnight into Sunday, has prompted an investigation by the New York Police Department (NYPD), with officers searching for at least four suspects.

Coverage comparison

Reports from The Guardian and The Jerusalem Post both confirm that multiple synagogues and residences were targeted in Queens. The Guardian, citing city council speaker Julie Menin, reported that several synagogues and homes were vandalized overnight Monday, with photos showing black swastikas spray-painted on synagogue walls, a garage door with the symbol circled in red, and what appeared to be a nearby residence's window.

The Jerusalem Post, quoting Rabbi Romiel Daniel of the Rego Park Jewish Center, identified that specific synagogue as one of the targets, noting that it was defaced with Nazi swastikas and the phrase "Heil Hitler." The Jerusalem Post also reported that a plaque honoring the victims of Kristallnacht was defaced, a detail not present in The Guardian's account.

Both outlets reported that police are investigating multiple sites and searching for at least four individuals. However, The Guardian reported that police are investigating at least four sites besides the Forest Hills synagogue, while The Jerusalem Post said police reviewed camera footage but no suspects had been identified.

Key claims

  • At least two Queens synagogues and several homes were defaced with antisemitic graffiti, as reported by both The Guardian and The Jerusalem Post.
  • The Rego Park Jewish Center was vandalized with Nazi swastikas and the phrase "Heil Hitler," according to The Jerusalem Post, which cited a photograph provided by Rabbi Romiel Daniel.
  • A plaque honoring the victims of Kristallnacht was also defaced, a claim carried by The Jerusalem Post alone.
  • City council speaker Julie Menin visited one of the targeted sites, Congregation Machane Chodosh, as reported by both outlets.
  • Police are investigating and searching for at least four individuals, according to statements from Menin reported by both sources.
  • The NYPD hate crimes task force is investigating the incident, per The Jerusalem Post.

Perspectives

City council speaker Julie Menin condemned the vandalism, saying in a statement: "When rabbis and congregants arrived to pray this morning, they expected to be met with their usual loving community. When a family woke up, they were prepared to begin an otherwise normal week. Instead, they were met with terrifying signals of hatred and threats of violence."

Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, noted on social media that one of the targeted sites housed a pre-kindergarten program, "where young children, their families, and staff were greeted with swastikas and other hateful vandalism."

Rabbi Romiel Daniel of the Rego Park Jewish Center told The Jerusalem Post that he suspected the perpetrator came from outside the neighborhood, though police have reviewed camera footage without yet identifying suspects.

Context and recent history

This incident follows a similar hate crime in January, when two teenagers were arrested and charged with hate crimes after dozens of swastikas were found painted on a playground in Brooklyn. At that time, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the vandalism, saying he was "sickened by this antisemitic vandalism," adding: "Antisemitism has no place in our city, and I stand shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish New Yorkers who were targeted."

Neither The Guardian nor The Jerusalem Post reported any arrests in connection with the current Queens incident. Police have said the graffiti will be removed once the investigation is complete.