Weitzman Jewish history museum vandalized with antisemitic graffiti
Less than a year ago, an Israeli flag that was displayed on the west-facing side of the museum was vandalized with red paint.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission on Tuesday condemned an incident last week of antisemitic vandalism of a sculpture at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History.
On Thursday evening, “an individual scrawled a hateful message on the museum’s iconic OY/YO sculpture. This marks the second act of vandalism within a year, following spray-painted graffiti on the building, plaza, and an Israeli flag in August 2025,” the commission said in a statement.
State Rep. Tarik Khan (D., Philadelphia) was in the area early Friday morning when he saw the vandalism, which he described as written in black marker on the side of the OY/YO sculpture at the southeast corner of Fifth and Market Streets. The three accusatory words appeared directed at Jews in general.
Khan said he quickly called 911.
“It was like a kick to the stomach,” Khan said Tuesday in a phone interview.
Khan said he had heard from Jewish acquaintances that they feel unsafe with the increasing acts of antisemitism in Pennsylvania and nationwide. Noting that he is a Muslim, he recalled the surge in anti-Muslim sentiment after 9/11.
“We have to acknowledge what is happening,” Khan said.
The Weitzman Museum said in a statement: “At a time of heightened antisemitism and hatred directed at Jews in America and around the world, incidents like this are deeply troubling — but they will not intimidate us or change who we are.”
A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Police Department could not be reached for comment.
“This repeated act of hate represents not only an assault on the Jewish community but an attack on the core values of respect and dignity that define our Commonwealth,” Curtis Jones Jr., interim chair of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, said in a statement.
“Pennsylvania will not tolerate hate in this state and the PHRC will continue to foster inclusion and eradicate hatred in all its forms,” said Jones, who is also a member of Philadelphia City Council.
Less than a year ago, an Israeli flag that was displayed on the west-facing side of the museum was vandalized with red paint. A South Jersey man was charged with ethnic intimidation and related offenses. The case is still pending, court records show.
“Criticism of Israel is not antisemitism. Blaming Jewish people for the Israeli government’s actions is,” Khan wrote in a Saturday post on Facebook.
Before he witnessed the vandalism on Friday, Khan already was set to cohost a community forum in East Falls on Sept. 15 featuring Raymond Polak, a Holocaust survivor.
“This is a time we need to reach out to each other,” Khan said.
The Sept. 15 event, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fallser Club, 3721 Midvale Ave.
