Community members discovered anti-Israel graffiti outside Bethesda Elementary School, Aug. 11. Two days after this, pedestrians found vandalism at the Congregation Beth El Synagogue in Bethesda. One week later, community members notified police of bias-related graffiti at five MCPS schools — Whitman, Winston Churchill High School, Thomas Wootton High School, Strathmore Elementary School and Fallsmead Elementary School.

The string of vandalism began at Bethesda Elementary with graffiti on the school’s monument sign, main crosswalk and parking lot. The spray-painted message on the main school board read, “Israel rapes men, women, and children.” 

Community members reported the Bethesda Elementary graffiti to MCPD during the weekly Sunday Farmer’s Market held in the school’s parking lot. Shortly after community members contacted officers, a cleanup crew of officers, community members, nonprofit organizations and children began washing off the graffiti. 

Vandalizers spray painted a similar sentiment across the side of Fallsmead Elementary reading, “Israel bombs schools.” 

Among the hate speech, people painted antisemitic iconography such as swastikas on the numerous public schools.

On Monday, Whitman’s front pillar, gymnasium doors and stadium entrance were vandalized with politically charged, hate-bias language. Details regarding the statements have yet to be released. 

MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor summarized the numerous incidents in a statement condemning the perpetrators. 

“We firmly denounce divisive actions that perpetuate hate, inequality, and injustice against any person, family, or community,” Taylor said in the announcement.

MCPD Commander Amy Daum determined that the language used in the numerous vandalizations qualifies as hate speech. 

These incidents come after a series of other hateful acts around MCPS. Whitman experienced a similar offense two years ago when the school sign was vandalized saying, “Jews not welcome.”

Junior Sydney Ashin said that there are patterns of vandalism being utilized for hate speech.

“It’s surprising to see that people continue to believe that vandalism is the right way to spread messages,” Ashin said. “Protesting for what you believe in is never looked down upon, but writing horrific things on elementary schools is outrageous.”

Two days after the incident at Bethesda Elementary, the Congregation Beth El Synagogue, just one mile away, was defaced. A large sign at the front of the building originally saying, “We support Israel’s quest for peace” was vandalized with similar hate speech to the Bethesda Elementary incident.

Junior Dylan Weiss, a leader in the Jewish teen movement B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, attended Beth El Synagogue growing up.

“It’s not only disgusting but terrifying,” Weiss said. “I believe that this vandalism can not only create fear, but a divide between different members of our community.”

In an interview with DC News Now, Congregation Beth El Executive Director Heather Garrett said community reconciliation can be utilized to curb hate speech.

“The language in the vandalism at Bethesda Elementary School and Congregation Beth El was consistent,” Garret said. “It’s important that we unite the community and have open discussions in order to create real change, not destruction.”

Three months ago, MCPS Board of Education President Karla Silvestre testified in a U.S. House Education and Workforce subcommittee hearing, “Confronting Pervasive Antisemitism in K-12 Schools.” In the hearing, Silvestre committed to fighting against hatred and training staff to handle such situations. 

Senior Sofia Antonioli said advocacy is essential, but this graffiti went too far. She participates in the Leadership Academy for Social Justice Program at Whitman, which, she explained, has given her the tools to participate in positive advocacy.

“It’s a difficult time for everyone in our community during this conflict, and while it’s important for everyone to be able to advocate for their views peacefully, there is certainly a line that shouldn’t be crossed,” Antonioli said. “These types of insensitive acts aren’t effective in achieving anything and traumatize children.”