The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia has been the target of vandalism, recently. (Credit: TheWeitzman.org)
The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia has become the target of antisemitic vandalism twice within a span of just over a week, prompting a complex institutional response that ultimately saw the museum reverse course on its decision to temporarily remove its Israeli flag display.
Police were called to the Museum of American Jewish History on the 100 block of South Independence Mall East just before 5 a.m. Monday, August 26, where investigators discovered red spray-painted graffiti on the side of the building, including on part of the large flag of Israel. The vandalism also covered portions of the sidewalk and steps outside the building, with red spray paint splattered on a banner that reads "The Weitzman stands with Israel."
This marked the second such incident in less than two weeks. A similar incident occurred on Aug. 18, with officers responding at 4:45 a.m. and finding red paint splattered on the banner and Israeli flag. Both incidents remain under investigation, with no arrests made to date.
Initially, museum officials announced plans to expedite the installation of "Bring Them Home Now" hostage messaging instead of replacing the vandalized Israeli flag. A museum spokesperson confirmed they "had been planning to refresh the façade signage with 'Bring Them Home Now' hostage messaging as we approach the incomprehensible two-year anniversary of their inhumane captivity."
However, this decision drew swift criticism from community members and supporters. In the comments of an Instagram post by the Weitzman museum announcing the signage swap, one user wrote, "They will see removing the Israeli flag as a victory, even for a message about the hostages."
On Thursday, August 28, the museum reversed its position. Museum president and CEO Dan Tadmor stated, "What we certainly did not intend with this plan was to create a perception that we were capitulating to vandals or had somehow walked back our position of unequivocal support for Israel and its people."
These incidents are part of a disturbing national trend. Dan Tadmor observed that vandalism against Jewish facilities has reached the point of happening on a daily basis in the United States. The Anti-Defamation League reported over 9,000 cases of antisemitism just this past year.
Recent months have seen Jewish cultural institutions from Portland to Paris face similar vandalism, including blue swastikas sprayed on Oregon's Jewish Museum. The museum also faced previous threats, with a Maryland man arrested in June for sending threatening letters referencing "Kristallnacht," "anger and rage" and a future need to "rebuild" the institution following its destruction.
Governor Josh Shapiro condemned the vandalism, stating that "The Weitzman Museum is literally steps away from the birthplace of democracy and a symbol of liberty and justice for all. Antisemitic vandalism has no place there — or anywhere in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."
