San Francisco State Hillel House Vandalism Sparks Major Community Reaction

Crowd of people protesting with signs and megaphone

The recent attack on San Francisco’s Hillel House with antisemitic graffiti has intensified the conversation on antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment in the community.

At a Glance

San Francisco Hillel House vandalized with antisemitic and Islamist graffiti.
Graffiti referenced “Khaybar”, signaling potential violence against Jewish communities.
Incident highlights the intersection of antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment.
Community leaders and authorities swiftly condemned the attack.

Antisemitic Vandalism at Hillel House

The San Francisco Hillel House, a religious and cultural hub for Jewish students at San Francisco State University, was targeted with antisemitic graffiti. The attack included references to “Khaybar,” a notable historical event involving military conflict between Jews and Muslims, creating a threatening atmosphere. Authorities acted promptly, sending a strong message that such attacks lack community tolerance and support.

Community leaders, including the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), have strongly condemned the attack, framing it as blatant antisemitism. Statements by JCRC emphasize the event’s glorification of Hamas and the call for Israel’s destruction are fundamentally not peaceful protests, but acts of intimidation.

Last night, the @SFHillel House, a block from the @SFSU campus, was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti, and the perpetrators attempted to break in.

The graffiti referenced 'Khaybar,' a historic region in 7th-century Arabia where a battle between Muslims and Jews resulted in… pic.twitter.com/pWFGAegPv4

— JCRC Bay Area (@SFJCRC) December 9, 2024

Parallel Incidents Increase Concern

In addition to the Hillel House attack, a Jewish-owned restaurant in San Francisco’s Mission District was vandalized with similar graffiti, coinciding with a pro-Palestine protest. Public figures, including Trevor Chandler, aligned these acts with antisemitic motives and highlighted the owner’s Jewish identity as a primary target. The protest took place around the anniversary of October 7, marking a year since the Hamas attacks, which intensifies the significance of these acts.

“This afternoon, masked cowards vandalized Manny’s with antisemitic graffiti. Let’s be clear: Manny’s was targeted because he is Jewish. No disagreement over foreign policy excuses this reprehensible behavior. Every person running in D9 and citywide needs to condemn this,” recently-elected district nine supervisor Trevor Chandler said at the time.

This vandalism demonstrated a pattern of targeting Jewish properties in San Francisco, further inflaming public condemnation. The JCRC reiterated its denouncement of such actions, calling out their alignment with violent groups and ideologies opposing the existence of Israel.

@sfchronicle & @D4VIDHernandez – Titling this article “Jewish-owned business tagged with graffiti during S.F. rally for Palestinians” shows how little you care about antisemitism and Palestinian human rights. Targeting a Jewish-owned business with graffiti calling for 90% of Jews… https://t.co/nG8WCea5t6

— JIMENA (@JIMENA_Voice) October 8, 2024

Community Response and Future Actions

The Bay Area Jewish community is mobilizing to address these rising antisemitic and anti-Israel sentiments. Dialogue among community leaders, reflecting on the history of anti-Israel activism at San Francisco State University, seeks to reinforce protective measures for Jewish students and facilities. The JCRC is engaging with authorities to ensure that responses to such incidents prioritize the safety and dignity of the affected communities.

“Last night, the @SFHillel House, a block from the @SFSU campus, was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti, and the perpetrators attempted to break in,” wrote the Jewish Community Relations Council on their X.com account.

While San Francisco’s community strives to address the local implications of this problem, the attack on the Hillel House remains a powerful reminder of the longstanding and complex issues surrounding antisemitism and its link to geopolitical conflicts. Ensuring a robust, united response will be crucial in protecting the vulnerable and promoting tolerance within the community.