Swastikas, Anti-Semitic Graffiti Scrawled on NJ Temple

Township police captain says he believes the fact the vandalism coincided with the first night of Hanukkah is no coincidence.

Police are investigating what appears to be anti-Semitic vandalism spray-painted on a temple in northern New Jersey, just as Hanukkah begins.

Hackensack Police Captain Thomas Salcedo said two swastikas were discovered painted on the outside of the town's Temple Beth El.

One of the swastikas was scrawled on the front door and another one was discovered on the west side of the building, where a reference to white supremacy was spray-painted four times.

The phrase "Jews did 9-11" was also spray-painted on a sidewalk leading to the entrance of temple.

Police have no suspects at this point in connection with the vandalism.

Salcedo said the latest incident is similar to another incident that happened at a temple in nearby Maywood. In that case, swastikas and "Jews did 9-11" were also spray-painted on the premises.

"We believe that it is more than a coincidence coming on the heels of the first night of Hanukkah," Salcedo said. "We have increased patrols through Hanukkah and beyond, patrols in cars and on foot-hourly checks."

The investigation is ongoing.
 

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