LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Antisemitic graffiti in Las Vegas causes outrage and shock as the community responds to the vandalism in the west valley.
Spray-painted messaging included “Death 2 Jews,” Free Gaza” and “Jews are causing WW3.” The vandalism caused outrage and some in the community to immediately come out and take action on Fort Apache and Peccole Strada on Wednesday morning.
MORE ON NEWS 3 | Nevada man arrested after making threats to US Sen. Jacky Rosen
“I just cancelled everything that I need to do today,” Gal Adiv-Andevo, who lives nearby, said. “I was coming here just to protest.”
Some waved the Israeli flag and held signs as cars drove by on Fort Apache. This act of vandalism follows tense rhetoric and protests surrounding the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group, Hamas. Now there are concerns about a rise of antisemitism in Las Vegas, and in the west valley.
“This is a targeted area,” Lilach Levaton, activism manager with the Israeli American Council said. “There’s lots of Jewish people living in this area. There are synagogues in this area. There is an organization that is located in this area. They know that these are neighborhoods with Jewish / Israeli citizens.”
Joining the crowd was Las Vegas City Councilwoman, Victoria Seaman who left a city council meeting to stand with her constituents.
“I notified the mayor of what was happening and told her that I would be leaving, and she said thank you,” Seaman said. “These are hate crimes and we must end it.”
Seaman at one point gets emotional about the situation.
“My daughter is Jewish, my friends are Jewish,” Seaman said. “Heartbroken that there is such antisemitism happening now. Right here in Las Vegas, in my ward. It will not be tolerated. It will not be tolerated.”
A public works crew with the City of Las Vegas arrived after 11 a.m. to cover the graffiti with paint. The crowd then began to sing the national anthem of Israel, “Hatikvah.”
The Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center is currently investigating the case. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the SNCTC section at SNCTC.org or by phone at 702-828-7777.