Swastika, ‘Kill All Jews’ Graffiti Found at Brooklyn High School

Graffiti of a swastika and the words “Kill All Jews” were found at Brooklyn Tech High School on Jan. 9.

The New York Daily News reported that the graffiti was written in black marker on a wall in the third-floor stairwell. New York City Department of Education spokesperson Miranda Barbot said in a Jan. 10 statement that the graffiti was reported to the New York Police Department (NYPD) and that the City Department of Education is working with the school to provide support to students.

“There’s no place for this kind of behavior in our schools, and we’re working across the city to combat anti-Semitism in all forms,” the statement said.

A student at the school, Dani Heba, told the New York Post, “This happens every year. There was anti-Semitic stuff last year, and someone made a noose out of toilet paper. It was supposed to be something about lynching. It’s disgusting. We don’t tolerate this here. It’s not representative of us.”

The Anti-Defamation League New York/New Jersey tweeted on Jan. 12, “Aware of the disturbing #antisemitic graffiti found at a #Brooklyn school last Thursday and we are in contact with law enforcement. These incidents have no place in our city and need to stop. Period.”

Aware of the disturbing #antisemitic graffiti found at a #Brooklyn school last Thursday and we are in contact with law enforcement. These incidents have no place in our city and need to stop. Period. https://t.co/TyoSMZM8Pf

— ADL New York / New Jersey (@ADL_NYNJ) January 12, 2020

The NYPD confirmed to the Daily News that it is investigating the matter; no arrests have been made at this time.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo condemned the graffiti in a Jan. 11 statement.

“I am appalled by the reports of a swastika and the message ‘Kill All Jews’ found scrawled on the walls of Brooklyn Tech High School,” Cuomo said. “This is New York, and we have absolutely zero tolerance for such acts of intolerance and bigotry. When you attack one of us, you attack all of us, and we will stand united with the Jewish community to condemn these illegal acts and eradicate this cancer of hate.”

He added that the State Hate Crimes Task Force will be working with the NYPD on its investigation into the matter.

“Racism, anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance are repugnant to New York values,” Cuomo said. “We will fight back every time they rear their ugly head, and we will win because we are right and we know diversity is and always will be our greatest strength.”

According to NYPD data released on Jan. 2, there was a 24% increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes in New York City from 2018 to 2019.