At a time when the war in Gaza continues to reverberate across global campuses, slogans such as “Death to Israel” and “Intifada sic now!” were found graffitied on two walls at Northwestern University early on Monday, prompting sharp criticism from Israeli officials and immediate action from university authorities.
Northwestern University police have launched an investigation into the act of vandalism. In an email to students, University President Michael Schill confirmed the institution is working to identify those responsible.
“If these individuals are current Northwestern students, they will be immediately suspended and face full disciplinary proceedings under University policies, as well as criminal charges under the law,” Schill wrote.
Yinam Cohen, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, condemned the incident and highlighted the significance of its timing.
“While Jews around the world celebrated Passover – a holiday that symbolises our freedom and the birth of our nation – some chose to spread hate at Northwestern University. Overnight, anti-Semitic graffiti appeared on campus, calling for the death of Jews (Intifada now) and the destruction of the Jewish state (Death to Israel),” Cohen stated.
He noted that the messages were scrawled on the building housing the Holocaust Educational Foundation, calling it “a chilling reminder of where such hatred can lead.”
While acknowledging some preliminary steps taken by the university to address antisemitism, Cohen said, “It is clear that it can and should do more – fighting unequivocally and unapologetically against Jew-hatred on campus. I am grateful to law enforcement for their efforts to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”
Earlier this year, the US government froze federal funds to several universities, including $1 billion to Cornell University, $790 million to Northwestern University, and $2.3 billion to Harvard University, following the institutions’ refusal to comply with directives from the Trump administration.
Representatives from the affected universities have criticised the decision, calling it a “political ploy” meant to penalise institutions for expressing dissent over Israel’s conduct during the Gaza invasion.
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