Gottheimer: Swastikas Found At Schools 'Deeply Concerning'

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ - After hand-drawn swastikas were found in two area middle schools just days before Rosh Hashanah, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer condemned the acts and said it was a "deeply concerning" matter.

On Thursday, Glen Rock school officials said two swastikas were discovered in a boys' bathroom of the middle school. In Fair Lawn, the district said a drawing of the symbol was found in a chair of the auditorium at the middle school, just a week after a swastika was drawn in a boys' restroom.

Both incidents remain under investigation.

Gottheimer released a statement over the weekend calling the incidents “entirely unacceptable” and said they “will not be tolerated in our schools or our communities here in North Jersey.”

“It is deeply concerning that these incidents have taken place just ahead of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Unfortunately, these are part of an incredibly disturbing rise in anti-Semitism in our state, nation, and around the world. This trend requires immediate and comprehensive action. As the Anti-Defamation League has reported, anti-Semitism in the United States remained at near-historic levels last year – including a significant spike in incidents in K-12 schools over the past few years. Last year, New Jersey was ranked third in the nation in anti-Semitic incidents. That’s unacceptable," Gottheimer said.

Gottheimer said he remains "fully committed" to working with federal officials, local government, area religious leaders, school administrators and parents "to ensure that instances of bias, hatred and anti-Semitism are swiftly addressed."

He also urged local school districts to use the incidents "as a teachable moment," with assemblies or classroom discussions "to remind our students that hate targeted at any group has no place here."

"Our children are looking to us to lead by example," he added.