Seattle Synagogue Vandalized With Anti-Semitic Graffiti

SEATTLE, WA - Seattle police are investigating a vandalism incident at a Capitol Hill synagogue after the building was reportedly tagged with anti-Semitic, holocaust-denying graffiti.

Police say an off-duty patrol officer discovered the graffiti around 5 a.m. Friday at the Temple De Hersch Sinai, which is located along 16th Avenue.

Around 1:30 p.m. Friday, police said they were investigating a suspicious package left outside the synagogue. The Seattle police bomb squad was on the scene, as was Chief Kathleen O'Toole, but the package turned out to be a book donation.

The graffiti described the holocaust as "fake history." The Seattle police department's bias crimes unit is investigating the incident. The synagogue is leaving the graffiti on the building at this time.

Here's the statement in full:

"It is with a heavy heart and troubled soul that I share with you an incident which occurred at our Seattle campus last night, and was discovered this morning. Anti-Semitic, Holocaust-denying graffiti was spray-painted on the facade of our Old Sanctuary. We immediately contacted law enforcement, who have responded quickly and efficiently in opening an investigation, for which we are profoundly grateful. Temple continues to take vigilant, substantive security measures to insure the safety and well-being of our community. In light of other recent threats and upcoming celebrations, we have further enhanced these measures."

"And as we take all of these precautions, we are also adamant in our conviction that we will not allow the toxicity of intolerance and growing climate of hate to define who we are, how we live, and what our nation can be. We take courage from the upcoming celebration of Purim and its story in the Book of Esther, as our people triumphed over the evil plans of those who seek to diminish and destroy us, and as we stand shoulder to shoulder with all who are vulnerable and in need, placing our faith in God to inspire us to perfect a broken world.

According to the Capitol Hill blog, a local resident tried to cover up the graffiti with a sheet with the slogan "Love wins."

The incident hits amid an unprecedented wave of anti-Semitic acts across the U.S.

Nearly two weeks ago, the Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island was the site of a bomb threat on the same day that more than 20 other JCCs around the U.S. received similar threats. The Anti-Defamation League has counted 148 such bomb threat incidents around the U.S. since January.

At the University of Washington, neo-Nazi recruitment posters have been popping up for months.

Outside of Puget Sound, anti-Semitic incidents have been seen in Milwaukee, Maryland, and at Texas State University in Austin, Texas. In St. Louis and Philadelphia, Jewish cemeteries have been vandalized.

"This only hardens our resolve to fight against anti-Semitism," ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement released Tuesday.

Image via Creative Commons