SWAMPSCOTT — Town officials released a statement Wednesday morning condemning the person or people responsible for defacing a family’s “We stand with Israel” yard sign with swastikas and antisemitic writing.
In a joint statement, Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald and the Select Board unanimously admonished the hateful act and proclaimed their support for the Jewish community. Fitzgerald called on the town to “stand together against” hatred and antisemitic rhetoric.
“We must not ignore this incident and the hate that has been scrawled on this sign, as it is pure evil. We all must discuss this incident at home with our families and our children. Now is the time to stand up and support our Jewish neighbors and families — they need our help,” Fitzgerald said.
Swampscott High School senior Sam Snitkovsky left his home to walk to school Tuesday morning, two days before the first day of Hanukkah, and noticed that his family’s yard sign had been vandalized with antisemitic writing and a swastika drawn over the Star of David.
“I personally thought it was vandalized just with ‘Free Palestine,’ but then I looked closer and saw the swastika,” Snitkovsky said. “It felt kind of surreal. I don’t think the swastika fully registered at first, but then I was thinking about the full meaning of it — I think we’re so used to seeing so much bigotry and racism everywhere, and it’s just awful that it’s so normal now.”
Select Board Chair David Grishman called the act an “intolerable” hate crime, and stressed that the town will support anyone who fights against acts of hate and bigotry in the community.
Grishman’s statement echoed those of other Select Board members such as Peter Spellios, who said the town must “call out” the hatred behind Nazi symbols, and Doug Thompson.
“It is heartbreaking to see so much hate — both innocent Israeli and Palestinian families have been targets of violence and hate and have been victimized. We need more care, we need more love, we need more understanding, and we need peace between Israel and Palestine,” Thompson said.
The Police Department is still seeking the public’s help in identifying anyone involved in the hate crime. The department said it has been in communication with the Essex County district attorney’s office, the Anti-Defamation League, fellow law-enforcement agencies, and community leaders.
In a written statement, Police Chief Ruben Quesada asked residents in the area to review home-camera footage from approximately 4 p.m. Monday to 8 a.m. Tuesday. Additionally, he encouraged anyone with information about the incident to contact the Police Department at (781) 595-1111.
“Every individual from all ethnic, religious, gender-identity, social, and political affiliation should be free from the hatred and vitriol we have recently seen. This act will only strengthen our resolve as public-safety leaders to ensure every member of our community feels safe and free from any intimidation and threats,” Quesada said.
Referring to the person responsible for the antisemitic vandalism as a “coward,” Select Board member MaryEllen Fletcher echoed Quesada’s remarks, adding that the bigotry seen worldwide must be combated on a local level.
“With antisemitism on the rise, we all need to lead with our actions and do everything possible to recognize this hate and push against it. It’s fine to talk about loving our neighbors, but only our actions can make a difference. It starts with each one of us,” Fletcher said.
FBI Director Christopher Wray said that since Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, the agency has opened roughly 60% more hate-crime investigations.
“The biggest chunk of those are threats against the Jewish community, but there are of course attacks… against others as well,” Wray told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
