A Jewish cemetery in a Chicago suburb was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti, local media reported on Monday.
At least 16 headstones were painted with Swastikas and another 23 were defaced at the Am Echod cemetery in Waukegan, Illinois. The message “Kanye Was Rite” was spray-painted on one headstone that marked the grave of a husband and wife.
"We have no words for this depravity and evil," watchdog group StopAntisemitism tweeted.
"The desecration of graves is as low as it gets, and by the way, it’s also as cowardly as it gets."
David Goldenberg, ADL
David Goldenberg, regional director of Anti-Defamation League Midwest, said: "The desecration of graves is as low as it gets, and by the way, it’s also as cowardly as it gets."
"Kanye is Rite" graffiti found spray painted in red, appearing like blood, on Jewish tombstones at a cemetery in Chicago.We have no words for this depravity and evil. pic.twitter.com/GiYBwi5mNA
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) November 15, 2022
The vandalism remains under investigation."I am deeply disturbed and angered by the hateful imagery found spray-painted on headstones yesterday in Am Echod Jewish Cemetery," Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor wrote on Facebook.
"Hate does not have a home in Waukegan; when such incidents occur, our marginalized neighbors are victimized, and our entire community suffers. I hope our officers promptly locate the perpetrators of this despicable act and hold them accountable, and I offer my full support to those directly impacted by this vandalism."
"I stand with Mayor Ann Taylor in condemning this evil act, and offer the state’s full support in the pursuit of justice," Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said. "Officials at Illinois State Police are in communication with city leaders."
"I am shocked and appalled by the defacement of the Am Echod Jewish Cemetery in Waukegan," Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois's 10th Congressional District wrote on Twitter. "This act of hate is despicable. I join with other leaders and organizations such as Mayor Ann Taylor and the ADL in condemning this attack. Hate has no home here."
The Kanye West effect terrorizing American Jews
Antisemitism has been on the rise since rapper Kanye West tweeted earlier this month allegedly threatening Jews.
“I'm a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3… on JEWISH PEOPLE,” he wrote, which he later followed up with a slew of anti-Jewish comments.
Days after Kanye's initial tweet, neo-Nazi Goyim Defense League hung up a sign in Los Angeles which read "Kanye is right about the Jews" above a highway overpass while giving Nazi salutes.
Another antisemitic act of vandalism in Illinois
On the same day as the cemetery incident, another antisemitic act of vandalism took place in Illinois.
Northwestern University's (NU) Jewish community was shocked to see on Monday that an op-ed about Jewish pride was turned into a big sign painted with the words "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."
The perpetrator has printed out copies of an op-ed titled "I am more proud of my Jewish identity than anyone can ever hate me for it," written by Lily Cohen, a student at the university in The Daily Northwestern, a student news source.
"On Monday morning, copies of the op-ed entitled 'I am proud of my Jewish identity more than anyone can ever hate me for it' were taped together and painted over with the words 'from the river to the sea Palestine will be free,'" Hillel Northwestern wrote in response on social media. They added that "the banner was displayed outside Deering Meadow on Sheridan Road in the heart of campus, on a major thoroughfare for all to see. We condemn the use of hateful rhetoric and the public, targeted attack on Jewish identity."
"The Israeli Consulate has been in close contact with the student body and with Northwestern faculty and administration," Consul General of Israel to the Midwest Yinam Cohen told The Jerusalem Post. He added that "University campuses must be a safe space for all students, including Jewish students."