NEW YORK – The World Jewish Congress, North America (WJC NA), expressed deep concern Monday after a series of anti-Semitic and racist incidents were carried out over the weekend in various cities in the United States. WJC NA Chair Evelyn Sommer thanked local authorities for treating the incidents seriously and pursuing the perpetrators, and urged the Jewish community to remain vigilant and work with law enforcement officials to deter future incidents of the kind.
“We are deeply concerned by these attacks on Jewish and other sites which are intended to instill fear in our community and in those of other minorities,” said Sommer. “We appreciate the response of local law enforcement in taking these incidents seriously and pursuing those who seek to harass the Jewish community.”
“The quick reaction by New Yorkers who erased the offending graffiti on the subway was both admirable and heartening,” Sommer added. “The best response to these attacks is to make sure that the perpetrators are swiftly caught and to ensure that our community be constantly vigilant and work with law enforcement so that others may be deterred from perpetrating similar vandalism. We continue to urge that those responsible at Jewish communal facilities ensure that security measures are in place.”
“WJC NA is grateful for the broad, resolute condemnation by local governments and every day citizens who have spoken out against these crimes. We must remain united in the face of intolerance. We will continue our advocacy and educational work on combatting racism and anti-Semitism in all forms,” said Sommer.
The vandalism in question included windows smashed and swastikas affixed to the Chicago Loop Synagogue, and swastikas drawn on signs in a New York City subway car and on a sign at an elementary school in Arizona.