OAKLAND — Anti-Semitic and pro-Hamas graffiti has been spray painted at different sites around Lake Merritt, community members said.
It is the second time in two months an anti-Jewish act of vandalism has occurred near the lake.
The graffiti was discovered Sunday painted on columns at the Lake Merritt Pergola on El Embarcadero which runs between Grand Avenue and Lakeshore Avenue north of the lake.
Messages included “F…Israel,” “Long Live Hamas, “Free Palestine” and “End US Aid to Israel.” The word “Hamas” encircled by a heart shape was painted on the pavement.
Pro Hamas messages were also seen on parking machines along Lakeshore.
Local Rabbi Mark Bloom said Monday he “was obviously very saddened” by the graffiti. “I think it’s part of the ugliness in our city right now. The graffiti is ugly both literally and figuratively.” He thinks that any number of anti-Zionists and anti-Semitics could be responsible.
He said “we need more messages of love in this city, not hatred. We need more people bringing messages of goodness and love.”
Oakland police were already investigating the Dec. 12 destruction of a Hanukkah menorah on the opposite end of the lake. The menorah was smashed and its pieces strewn around the area. Anti-Semitic remarks were also spay painted on benches nearby. Members of the Jewish community and its supporters replaced it the next night.
No arrests have been made in that case and authorities said it is too soon to say if the same suspects were also involved in the latest vandalism.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 510-238-3728.
Anti-Semitic incidents have increased since the deadly Oct. 7 attack by Hamas in southern Israel killed 1,200 people, and Hamas militants took 250 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes in Gaza in its war against Hamas have killed more than 20,000 Palestinians and destroyed much of the territory’s buildings and infrastructure.
To the person or persons responsible for the latest Oakland graffiti, Bloom asked: “Do you want to have true peace in the Middle East and in Oakland? Do you think this is helpful toward that?”
