Minneapolis police investigating antisemitic vandalism at Temple Israel

The largest synagogue in Minnesota has once again been vandalized with spray paint bearing antisemitic messages. 

Photos show a threatening message of "watch out Zionists" painted in red on the outside wall of Temple Israel in south Minneapolis, as well as a reference to the Oct. 7 attack led by Hamas two years ago in Israel. 

"It's on not only the second anniversary, but also the holiday of Sukkot which we are in the midst of. All of those things adding up," Zimmerman said.

Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, said symbols used by Hamas to mark Israeli targets and used in videos about the attack were painted on the synagogue.

"To our left you see the reference 'Al-Aqsa Flood,' which was the codename for the Hamas terrorists for Oct. 7," Hunegs said. "This is the modern-day equivalent of the swastika, the inverted red triangle of Hamas."

Hunegs said the symbols have been "adopted by Hamas' supporters" not only in the United States, but around the world as a tactic to intimidate and threaten Jews. 

Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman said despite the vandalism, they'll continue to feel proud of their Judaism. 

"They are not a political statement. They are antisemitic rhetoric," Zimmerman said. "It has been a year of a great deal of hate, and we continue to do the work we believe in."

Zimmerman added her appreciation to Minneapolis police for their swift acts. In a news conference, Police Chief Brian O'Hara said the vandalism was "clearly a hate crime."

"Hate crimes and acts targeting sacred spaces strike at the very heart of who we are as a community. These acts are meant to instill fear and division, and we will not tolerate them," O'Hara said. "The MPD is investigating this incident as a bias-motivated crime. We will work tirelessly alongside our federal law enforcement partners to hold those responsible accountable."

Police also released surveillance photos of two people they believe are connected to the vandalism. Though the photos don't show much discernible, police are asking anyone who lives in the area to check their own cameras for better images.

The synagogue is attended by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who issued the following statement on the vandalism: "This morning, Temple Israel woke up to anti-Semitic threats — a reminder that hate still tries to find a foothold. It won't find one here. Minneapolis stands with our Jewish neighbors. Hiding behind hate to spread fear against any religion or group of people is cowardly and unacceptable in our city." 

Sen. Omar Fateh, who represents southwest Minneapolis, also denounced the vandalism. 

"Anti-Semitism has no place in our city, and the hate speech found at Temple Israel this morning is unacceptable," Fateh said. "Minneapolis cannot, and will not tolerate violence against our communities, and we stand with our Jewish neighbors."

Houses of worship across the country are being advised to create security committees to create a plan for worst-case scenarios for services and events due to a rise in vandalism, arson and violence. 

The vandalism came 10 months after swastikas were painted on the temple. Zimmerman told WCCO at that time that while threatening phone calls had been received in the past, she couldn't remember the last time someone spray-painted a swastika on the property. 

"The community needs to rally," Hunegs said. "As thankfully the community has for Annunciation [Catholic Church], rallied for the mosques being the subject of arson attacks, the message has to go forth that this is completely unacceptable."