ST. LOUIS — A quiet residential neighborhood in Clayton, Missouri, was shaken this week after three cars were torched and “Death to the IDF” was spray-painted on a street and nearby property — an act police are calling a targeted antisemitic hate crime.
According to The Times of Israel, the vandalism and arson appeared to target an American citizen who previously served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and had recently returned to his family home.
Graffiti Contained Personal Threats
Local news outlet KMOV 4 News reported that, in addition to the anti-IDF slogan, other threatening messages were spray-painted on Westmoreland Avenue, some of which were aimed directly at the victim. Portions of the graffiti were blurred in broadcasts because they included specific threats and accusations of being a “murderer.”
Civil rights attorney Leo Terrell, who has spoken out nationally against antisemitic violence, called it a “horrific antisemitic attack” and said he has contacted the FBI to ensure a full federal investigation.
Jewish Groups Condemn Attack
The Jewish Federations of St. Louis issued a strong statement condemning the incident:
“This is more than vandalism; it is a hateful act of intimidation and only the latest example of what happens when antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric are normalized.”
Jordan Kadosh, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, said this attack illustrates the danger of escalating anti-Israel rhetoric.
“When you hear somebody say ‘globalize the intifada,’ this is what it looks like. It looks like burned-out cars on suburban streets in America.”
Suspect Detained, Hate Crime Investigation Underway
Police confirmed that one suspect was taken into custody shortly after the attack. The Clayton Fire Department responded to the scene to put out the vehicle fires. The case is being investigated as a hate crime, with the FBI and the Jewish Federation’s Community Security Team assisting.
Clayton Mayor Bridget McAndrew called the arson and graffiti “an offensive and violent act” and pledged that the city “will not tolerate harassment, intimidation, or violence based on someone’s nationality, race, religion, or ideology.”
National Context: Hate Crimes Against Jews at Record High
The attack comes as FBI data shows antisemitic hate crimes in the U.S. reached a record high in 2024, with 1,938 incidents reported — making up 16% of all hate crimes nationwide and nearly 70% of all religion-based hate crimes.
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