‘Abhorrent antisemitic messages’ at Bethesda elementary school

The Montgomery County Police Department is investigating antisemitic vandalism discovered on Sunday at an elementary school in Bethesda, Md., as a hate crime, the department stated.

Police officers were called to Bethesda Elementary School at about 7:15 in the morning on Sunday, per the department. The officers found “spray-painted antisemitic phrases in the parking lot area of the school and on a nearby building,” it added.

The department had no descriptions of suspects yet, it said on Monday, noting that it is reviewing surveillance footage and canvassing the area. “The graffiti was removed by Bethesda Urban Partnership, Montgomery County Public Schools and volunteers,” the department said.

JNS sought comment from the department.

The department didn’t state the content of the graffiti, though multiple media outlets reported that the statements spray-painted on a school sign, as well as on sidewalks and crosswalks, included “Israel rapes men, women and children” and “Free Gaza.” News outlets also reported that there is a farmer’s market held on the site.

Montgomery County “is home to the largest Jewish population in the state, with 45% of Maryland’s Jewish residents living in our community,” per the county council.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington stated that it is “appalled” by the Jew-hatred spray-painted at the school.

“As children and families were trying to enjoy a farmer’s market, they were instead witnesses to abhorrent antisemitic messages,” the Federation said. “Ahead of the new school year, it is critical that we make clear that this type of hate speech has no place here.”