Vandal Defaced UES Synagogue With Anti-Israel Graffiti: NYPD

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — An Upper East Side synagogue was vandalized with anti-Israel graffiti amid the recent wave of antisemitic incidents across New York City last week, police said.

Leaders of the Park Avenue Synagogue, located at E. 87th St. between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue, said that the vandalism happened around noon Friday.

Photos show that the word "Palestine" was written under the biblical verse "How great are your tents O Jacob, your dwelling places O Israel," displayed at the entrance of the synagogue.

Park Avenue Synagogue posted online this weekend that they were investigating and assured congregants that the building is secure for all members.

"Today Park Avenue Synagogue was vandalized. As a former member of this congregation, I am disgusted by this vile antisemitic act. A house of worship is a sanctuary. Defacing it is an attack on all of us," City Councilmember Julie Menin wrote on X.

The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incidents, though no arrests have been made at this time.

Founded in 1882, the Park Avenue Synagogue is among the largest Jewish congregations in the United States.

The vandalization of Park Avenue Synagogue occurred just days after protesters threw buckets of red paint on the front entrance of a building at 115 East 65th Street. This building houses the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations.

The group responsible has also not yet been identified by police, and a motive has not been determined.