Jewish students at Northwestern University were confronted with hate-filled messages and vandalism during the second day of Passover, as several buildings were defaced with red paint. The messages included “death to Israel” and “Intifada now,” drawing sharp condemnation from the university and its leadership.
Hours after his own Passover seder, Northwestern’s Jewish president, Michael Schill, voiced his outrage over the disturbing act of antisemitism. The vandalism included the use of an inverted triangle, a symbol historically associated with Hamas and some pro-Palestinian groups.
A Disturbing Discovery on the Second Day of Passover
It was a day that many Jewish students at Northwestern University will not soon forget. They woke to find hateful graffiti scrawled across multiple university buildings. The messages were not just hurtful—they were threatening. Phrases like “death to Israel” and “Intifada now” were painted in large red letters on the walls of the campus buildings. The use of the word “Intifada,” which refers to uprisings in the Palestinian territories, particularly the violent Second Intifada, only added to the chilling nature of the messages.
The timing of the attack made it even more painful. The graffiti appeared on the second day of Passover, one of the holiest times of the Jewish calendar. Passover is a time for reflection, prayer, and celebration of freedom, and the students who found the vandalism were in the midst of observing that sacred tradition with family and friends.
A Symbol of Hatred and Intimidation
The graffiti wasn’t just about words. An inverted triangle was spray-painted on one of the university buildings. This symbol is closely linked to Hamas, a Palestinian militant group that has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, and other governments. The inverted triangle has been used by Hamas to mark Israeli targets, and some pro-Palestinian protesters have also adopted it.
The use of this symbol was not just a political statement; for many, it was seen as an overt threat against Jewish students. The connection between the symbol and Hamas raised alarms about safety, with many students fearing for their well-being in a climate of escalating tension.
University’s Response: Investigation and Action
In the wake of the vandalism, Northwestern University’s leadership has vowed to take swift and decisive action. Michael Schill, the university’s Jewish president, expressed his anger and frustration in a statement. Schill revealed that the vandalism took place just hours after he had hosted his own Passover seder. His words underscored the personal pain of the incident, as he emphasized the importance of both personal and institutional accountability.
The university has made it clear that antisemitic acts will not be tolerated. Schill stated that the perpetrators of this hateful act would face disciplinary action from the university, along with potential criminal charges. Northwestern University has promised a full investigation into the matter, and campus security has been increased in response to the threats.
Calls for Accountability and Protection
The incident has sparked outrage among Jewish students and faculty at Northwestern. The campus group Students Supporting Israel shared images of the graffiti on social media, calling it a direct threat to the safety of Jewish students. The group emphasized the impact of such acts on the campus community, noting that hate-driven messages of this kind undermine the sense of security that every student should feel on campus.
The attack also prompted a wider conversation about the atmosphere on university campuses regarding Israel and Palestine. Protests, demonstrations, and calls for divestment from companies linked to Israel have become more frequent in many universities across the United States. However, the rise of antisemitic incidents tied to these movements has raised concerns about the safety of Jewish students and their ability to express their identity freely.
At Northwestern, students are calling for more concrete measures to protect their safety, both from hate speech and from the escalating political tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many have called for clear actions and policies to ensure that the campus remains a safe space for all students, regardless of their background or beliefs.
University Divestment and Protests
The vandalism is part of a broader movement at Northwestern University to address the university’s financial ties to Israel. Students have been calling for the school to divest from funds connected to Israel, or those that profit from the ongoing conflict in Gaza. A tent encampment was recently erected by students on campus as a symbolic protest against the university’s investments, and the attack on the buildings is seen by some as a reflection of the growing animosity toward Israel among certain segments of the student body.
This tension has made the university’s leadership walk a fine line. While the administration has condemned the vandalism and promised swift action, it must also contend with ongoing student protests and political divisions on campus. Balancing these competing forces will be a delicate task as the university seeks to foster an environment where all voices can be heard without fear of violence or intimidation.
A Deeply Personal Matter for Jewish Students
For many Jewish students, the act of vandalism was more than just an abstract political statement. It was deeply personal. Jewish identity on campus often intertwines with a strong sense of community, and the attack felt like a direct assault on that community. The timing, occurring during Passover, amplified the emotional impact for those who had been celebrating the Festival of Freedom in peace, only to find their campus marred by hatred.
The university’s response is being watched closely. Many hope it will set a precedent for how institutions of higher learning address antisemitism and other forms of hate speech, not just in word but in action.
