Vandalism At Local Center Provokes Public Outrage And Calls For Action

protesters holding handmade sign that says "all communities must denounce antisemitism"

An act of antisemitic vandalism at San Francisco’s Hillel House stirred outrage and demands for action.

At a Glance

Vandalism at the San Francisco Hillel House with antisemitic graffiti.
Graffiti included the term “Khaybar,” implying historical violence against Jews.
Outrage from the Jewish Community Relations Council and local authorities.
Incident highlights ongoing antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment in academia.

Vandalism at Hillel House: A Disturbing Scenario

The San Francisco Hillel House was defaced with graffiti bearing antisemitic and Islamist messages, including the term “Khaybar.” This word evokes historical violence against Jewish communities, serving as a menace to current Jewish students at San Francisco State University. The event not only attracted immediate backlash but also underscored persisting antisemitic sentiments on campuses.

Authorities and community leaders responded swiftly, highlighting the critical need to combat expressions of hate to maintain a respectful environment for all students. Such acts of vandalism are regarded as a direct assault on Jewish cultural life, aiming to instill fear among students and curb their sense of community safety.

Last night, the @SFHillel House, a block from the @SFSU campus, was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti, and the perpetrators attempted to break in.

The graffiti referenced 'Khaybar,' a historic region in 7th-century Arabia where a battle between Muslims and Jews resulted in… pic.twitter.com/pWFGAegPv4

— JCRC Bay Area (@SFJCRC) December 9, 2024

Broader Context of Antisemitic Acts

This incident at the Hillel House is not isolated. A Jewish-owned restaurant, Manny’s, also faced similar vandalism. During a pro-Palestine protest, the restaurant was defaced with antisemitic graffiti on the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks. This occurrence at Manny’s fueled further outrage, drawing broad condemnation from figures like Senator Scott Wiener.

“This afternoon, masked cowards vandalized Manny’s with antisemitic graffiti. Let’s be clear: Manny’s was targeted because he is Jewish. No disagreement over foreign policy excuses this reprehensible behavior,” said recently-elected district supervisor Trevor Chandler.

Senator Scott Wiener criticized the timing of the incident, correlating it with additional planned protests. Community spaces in San Francisco, like Manny’s, serve as hubs for civic and political involvement and should be immune to hate.

@sfchronicle & @D4VIDHernandez – Titling this article “Jewish-owned business tagged with graffiti during S.F. rally for Palestinians” shows how little you care about antisemitism and Palestinian human rights. Targeting a Jewish-owned business with graffiti calling for 90% of Jews… https://t.co/nG8WCea5t6

— JIMENA (@JIMENA_Voice) October 8, 2024

Call to Action Against Antisemitism

The desecration of spaces like Hillel House and Manny’s echoes a growing concern within Jewish and broader communities about the rise of antisemitic sentiments. The Jewish Community Relations Council highlighted the glorification of hate symbols and the sinister motive behind such acts, reinforcing calls for immediate and decisive action.

The outrage from such events demands persistent vigilance and a unified stance against all forms of hatred. As the dialogue around Israel and Palestine continues, it is vital that public discourse remain respectful and does not devolve into personal attacks or vandalism.