New York School Buses Vandalized with Swastikas and Antisemitic Graffiti in Brooklyn
Four school buses serving Jewish institutions in Brooklyn's Williamsburg were vandalized with swastikas and antisemitic graffiti. NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident as officials condemn the attack.
Four school buses belonging to Jewish educational institutions in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn were found vandalized with swastikas and antisemitic, anti-Israel, and pro-Palestinian graffiti. The incident, which occurred early Monday morning around Bedford Avenue and South Williamsburg, targeted yellow buses used by Hasidic communities including Satmar, Sanz-Klausenburg, and Tiferes Yisroel.
Local authorities reported that the spray-painted messages included antisemitic slurs and slogans such as "Free Palestine" and "America First". The New York Police Department's Hate Crimes Task Force has launched an active investigation into the incident, working in coordination with the local community safety organization Shomrim to review nearby surveillance footage and identify the perpetrators. No arrests have been made thus far.
Elected officials strongly condemned the vandalism. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani denounced the act as despicable, emphasizing that every resident and child deserves to live free from such hate. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and State Attorney General Letitia James also issued strong condemnations, with Hochul expressing her disgust over children encountering hate speech on their school transport. Council Member Lincoln Restler and State Assemblyman Kalman Yeger further highlighted the disturbing rise in antisemitic incidents targeting local community institutions.
