OPINION
After a brief respite, antisemitic graffiti has once again appeared in Queens, this time targeting Jewish-owned businesses in Richmond Hill.
The latest incident occurred overnight on Aug. 28 at Lefferts Plaza, where swastikas, a Star of David and slogans referencing genocide were spray-painted across storefronts, office suites and other property. Among the businesses targeted was the law office of attorney Michelle Kariyeva, according to local reports. The vandalism follows similar incidents reported in heavily Jewish areas of Queens, including Rego Park, Forest Hills and Kew Gardens. Authorities are investigating the Richmond Hill incident and reviewing surveillance footage and other evidence.
The slogans are typically the same in these hateful acts of vandalism and are always marked by delusions and Jew hatred, reflecting the low level of intelligence of those that repeat statements initially propagated by terrorists at home and abroad. These acts of hate graffiti need to be seen in their proper context. They are not expressions of so-called free speech nor an attempt at artistic expression. When there are Nazi symbols freely sprawled over Jewish businesses and communal life, one should understand these are acts of incitement of violence toward the Jewish people. Moreover, such use of symbols and loaded expression is a hate crime in its purest form which is punishable by arrest in New York City.
These are not simply acts of vandalism that should be covered over as forms of low-level street graffiti. These acts of hate graffiti are written by those that wish physical harm and worse on the Jewish People and should not be tolerated. The writing of such hate graffiti is the “gateway drug” to later acts of actual violence—whether planned, intentional, or unplanned.
We have seen this in our community with the physical attack on Rabbi Shushan in Rego Park in January 2026, and countless other acts of physical violence against Jews since. All of those whom cowardly attack Jews in the public domain share one base thing in common: they shout and repeat the same messages that are written in all the hate graffiti found in our neighborhoods. That is not a coincidence and serves as a clue that law enforcement officials, especially the Hate Crimes Division of the NYPD, as well as prosecutors must take into consideration.
We are not chasing after mere graffiti writers. We are tracking down the next level of would-be terrorists and should hold them accountable. In the world of counterterrorism and intelligence, there is a term for such low-level offenders; they are typically referred to as “wanna-be jihadis”. If they want to emulate their terrorist idols, then they should be treated and tried just as them within a court of law.
Of all the organizations responding to these incidents, the Queens-based chapter of Shomrim most actively involved. Queens Shomrim has a proven track record of responding within literal minutes to acts of violence within the Jewish communities, to other forms of crime, and to assisting with cases of missing people. Queens Shomrim works actively and cooperatively with the NYPD and our local police districts in all matters related to crime prevention, and monitoring.
In almost all the cases of antisemitic hate graffiti removed in Queens, it has been Shomrim that have been on the frontlines. These volunteers are committed to protecting our neighborhoods for all, such as Moshe Khiyayev and others within Queens Shomrim. Whenever antisemitic graffiti is discovered, citizens have contacted Queens Shomrim first with photos and other forms of physical evidence indicating the location of the hate vandalism. Queens Shomrim then passes on all the collected evidence to the Hate Crimes Division of the NYPD, which conducts their own further investigations.
It has been noted by our Sages and other chachamim that the physical body almost always should be involved in the enactment of mitzvot. This is the reason that my colleagues and I are involved in this volunteer work. We are not only covering over and removing some of the most hateful and vile expressions of Jew hatred graffiti in our midst. With each act of hatred erasure by our own hands and limbs, we are banishing wickedness from our streets. And with Siyata Dishmaya, we will pass those responsible for the execution of such hate to the proper authorities, and they shall await their full prosecution.
By Dmitri Oster, LCSW