Swastikas Painted on Jewish Fraternity House at University of Oregon

Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Swastikas were painted on mailboxes in front of a Jewish fraternity at the University of Oregon in Eugene.
The swastikas were painted on mailboxes in front of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house, according to a report filed with the Eugene Police on Monday night, the Daily Emerald student newspaper reported.
The fraternity also informed the Dean of Students of the attack.
The police do not have any leads in the case, a police spokeswoman told the Register-Guard newspaper.
Anti-Semitic or other discriminatory graffiti “hasn’t happened a lot” in Eugene in recent years, the spokeswoman told the newspaper.
Swastikas were painted on the back door of the fraternity house several years ago, a student told local television station KMTR.
The city of Eugene’s human rights commission “strongly condemns these types of hateful actions,” commission member Phil Carrasco said in a statement, the Register Guard reported.
“This symbol comes from a place of hate and is used to promote hate,” he said.
Andy Gitelson, executive director of Oregon Hillel, said that there is a heightened sensitivity to the graffiti due to Israel’s current military operation in Gaza.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
