In a disturbing incident coinciding with the second day of Passover, antisemitic graffiti was discovered on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus early Monday morning. The vandalism targeted University Hall and Kresge Centennial Hall, the latter housing the university’s Holocaust Educational Foundation.
The graffiti included phrases such as “Death to Israel” and “Intifada Now,” along with red handprints and an inverted triangle symbol associated with anti-Israel sentiments. University President Michael Schill condemned the act, stating, “Antisemitic acts cannot and will not be tolerated at Northwestern.”
Northwestern University Police are actively investigating the incident, utilizing camera footage and forensic methods to identify the perpetrators. President Schill emphasized that if the individuals responsible are students, they will face immediate suspension and disciplinary proceedings, in addition to criminal charges.
This act of vandalism has heightened concerns within the university community, particularly among Jewish students. Or Yahalom, an American-Israeli student, expressed her distress, noting that such incidents make Jewish students feel unsafe on campus.
The incident also comes amid broader scrutiny of Northwestern University’s handling of antisemitism. Recently, the U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation into alleged civil rights violations related to antisemitic harassment on campus. Additionally, the Trump administration has frozen approximately $790 million in federal funding to the university pending the outcome of this investigation.
As the university continues its investigation, members of the Jewish and pro-Israel community are calling for decisive action to address and prevent such acts of hate, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all students.